Lisa Grace M. De Guia, Ramon Ariel Ken M. Garcia, Joahnna Marie P. Iloreta (March 2013)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This experimental study aimed on investigating the antifungal activity of Punica granatum (promegranate) extracts namely (1) the fruit peel, (2) the fruit membrane, and (3) the combination of the former two extracts, prepared in the solvent methanol, against the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Broth macrodilution method was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values of the extracts. Different concentrations (256 mg/ml, 128 mg/ml, 64 mg/ml, 32 mg/ml, 16 mg/ml, 8 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, and 2 mg/ml) of each extract were used to determine the MIC and MFC values. Results showed that combined P. granatum fruit peel and membrace extracts has the highest activity among the extracts in inhibiting fungal growth with its MIC at 64 mg/ml while the membrane and the combined extracts both have MFCs at 256 mg/ml. However, the Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA indicated that antifungal activities of the three extracts were equal (no significant difference). This means that the antifungal activity of the combined extracts are just similar or comparable in strength to that of the individual extracts. Higher range of concentrations of extracts is recommended to acquire MFC value for the P. granatum fruit peel extract. Storage for extracts of -20 degree Celcius and lesser conduct time is also recommended.