Antifungal Properties of Allium sativum (Garlic) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on Fungi Isolated from Postgraduate Student Hostels’ Bathrooms, University of Benin, Benin City

Abstract

Allium sativum (Garlic) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) are
herbaceous, perennial and monocotyledonous plants, with several
medicinal and nutritional values. The formation and physical
appearance of black mould spots and patches on walls and floors
indicate the presence of fungi. The aim of this investigation was to
evaluate the antifungal properties of Allium sativum and Zingiber
officinale on fungi isolated from Bathrooms of the three (3)
Postgraduate Student Hostels. Qualitative and quantitative studies
were performed to determine the presence and concentration of the
phytochemical substances which were extracted using ethanol and
water. Swab samples were collected from the Bathroom walls
before and after cleaning. The fungal isolates were characterized
using the standard microbiological techniques. Antifungal
susceptibility of 4 concentrations of each plant extracts was carried
out on the isolates, the mycelia extended growth rate of each fungus
were measured and the percentage mycelia growth inhibition was
calculated. The fungal counts of the bathrooms' walls ranged from
0.20 ± 0.20 to 6.20 ± 0.38 x 104
cfu/cm 2 before cleaning and from
0.00 ± 0.00 to 1.00 ± 0.02 x 104 cfu/cm2
after cleaning. The fungal
isolates identified were: Aspergillus nidulans, A. fumigatus, A.
niger, A. tamarii, A. flavus, Penicillium cyclopium, P. oxalicum,
Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum sp., Mucor mucedo,
Cladosporum sp., Candida albicans and Rhodotorula sp. The
ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale was observed to exhibit the
most antifungal potential against Aspergillus fumigatus. The
aqueous extract showed the most potent antifungal activity of
Zingiber officinale against Aspergillus tamarii. Both medicinal
plant extracts showed antifungal activities in varying degrees and
could be used as herbal treatments against fungi diseases.