Abstract

The present study assessed the antifungal properties of extracts of Coriolopsis polyzona against fungi isolated from remnant foods and wastewater that are discharged into the environment without treatment. Species of fungi isolated from remnant foods and wastewater in Akure metropolis are Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium chrysogenum, Apsergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium italicium, Triscelophorus monosporus and Rhizopous stolonifer. Phytochemical constituents in the extracts of C. polyzona ranged from 0.75 to 14.20 mg/g for saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and steroids. The percentage inhibition of fungal mycelia by C. polyzona extracts against isolated fungi at concentration of 50 to150 mg/ml ranged from 2.7 to 37.7%. Purified extracts exhibited better mycelia inhibition of 42.2% on Penicillium chrysogenum and 34.1% on Aspergillus fumigatus that were resistance to fluconazole and ketoconazole respectively. The presence of phytochemicals and functional groups such as hydroxyl (OH), alkyl (C-H) carbonyl (C=O) and aromatic ring (C=C) in the extracts of C. polyzona may be responsible for the antifungal effect of the extracts. Compounds associated with these functional groups if isolated and purified may help in combating the present phenomenon of resistance of fungi to commercial antifungal agents.

Key words: Restaurant wastes, Coriolopsis polyzona, mycelia inhibition, functional groups, environment.