Keratinophilic Fungi Isolated From The Soil In Saharanpur U.P Of India And In Vitro Evaluation Of Antifungal Activity Of The Cinnamon, Peppermint And Jasmine Essential Oils Against These Fungi

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi
isolated and characterized from different soil samples of India and to evaluate the antifungal potential of
selected herbal extracts against seven dermatophytes. Soil is rich in pathogenic and non pathogenic
keratinophilic fungi including dermatophytes. Most of these fungal species have already been reported as
dermatophytes causing infections of skin, hair, etc. Two keratinous fragments, human hairs and animals’ hairs
were used for the growth of fungi by the hair-baiting technique. 8 fungal samples were collected and cultured on
Sabouraud dextrose agar, containing chloramphenicol and incubated at 25 to 27°C. Isolates were identified on
the basis of colony characterization and the morphology of the fungal strains. Eight different fungal species,
namely, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton equinum were isolated. Out
of them, T. mentagrophytes is most common T. tonsures and T. equinum and M.canis in this region. Evaluation
of antifungal activity was carried out with different essential oil, namely, cinnamon oil peppermint oil and
jasmine oil by the well diffusion method. In this assay, essential oil cinnamon peppermint oil and jasmine oil
showed maximum antifungal activity. Therefore, these could be used as an alternative medicine against
infections caused by dermatophytes.