Determination of antifungal activity of methanolic extract of adrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi) against fungus isolated and identified from allium cepa (Onion) / Nur Athirah Aminuddin

Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) is an herbaceous plant from the family Acanthaceae which commonly known as “king of bitters”. A methanolic extract of A. paniculata has been shown to have antifungal properties which can inhibit the growth of fungus. The aim of this study is to determine the antifungal activity of A. paniculata against the growth of a fungus isolated from Allium cepa. Fungal sample was collected from rotten surface of Allium cepa and only one type of fungal was chosen to be identified and tested. Colony morphology of isolated fungus was observed on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and microscopic examination was done for identification. Methanolic extracts of A. paniculata at different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 mg/mL), respectively were screened for antifungal activity by using disc diffusion method against the identified fungus. Identified fungal characteristics suggested the isolate as Aspergillus species based on its colony morphology and microscopic characterizations. Methanol extracts of A. paniculata at all concentrations tested revealed absence of inhibition zones against the isolated fungus compared to Voriconazole (1 μg) which is the positive control that showed zones of inhibition of 19, 20 and 22 mm.. In conclusion, the isolated fungus was identified as Aspergillus species and the A. paniculata methanolic extract used in this study cannot be justified to have an antifungal properties against the isolated fungus in this study. Further study is needed for confirmation of the Aspergillus species and fresh sample of plant extract is recommended for future test with fungi for a better and reliable result.