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ABSTRACT
This study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of Moringa leaf extract against isolates of importance in pathology. Standard methods were used for extraction of Moringa leaves. Cultural and microscopic techniques were employed for isolation and identification of the fungal isolates. Mycelia inhibition of the isolates was carried out using 50 % and 25 % concentration of Moringa leaf extract. Antifungal susceptibility using standard discs and the concentrations of the extract was also carried out using disc diffusion methods. The results revealed that Moringa leaves gave an actual yield of 2.35% following hot water extraction. The identified fungal isolates include, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus spp. The mycelia growth of fungi in the presence of 50 % and 25 % Moringa leaf extract in contrast to the control revealed mycelia growth for A. niger to be 5.34±3.29 mm and 8.50±3.50 mm respectively while mycelia growth of the same fungus had and extension of 14.25±2.50 mm after 4 days of incubation. Similar trends were observed for Penicillium and Rhizopus spp. The percentage mycelia inhibition was found to be higher for 50% extract in contrast to 25% Moringa leaf extract. Penicillium spp. had the highest percentage mycelia inhibition (76.07%) while Rhizopus (39.44 %) had the least mycelia inhibition. The antifungal susceptibility of the isolates showed higher inhibition zones for 50 % Moringa leaf extract for all isolates compared to 25% concentration of the leaf extract.
