Antifungal Activity of Different Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum on Fungi Isolated from Salon Equipment in Rivers State, Nigeria

This research was aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Ocimum gratissimum on fungal isolates from salon equipment in Rivers State, Nigeria. Most barbing equipment are contaminated by fungi due to unproven methods of cleaning and sterilization. This research was carried out to investigate the antifungal potential of Ocimum gratissimum on fungi isolated from salon equipment in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) swab samples from clipper, brush and combs were subjected to standard mycological procedures such as culturing using dermatophyte test medium and sabouraud dextrose agar and identified using macroscopic and microscopic method. Total number of identified fungal isolates (44), belonging to six genera from the study locations werse, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terrus, Fusarium solani, Mucor indicus, Rhizopus nigricans, Trichophyton rubrum and Penicillium italicum and subjected to ethanol, methanol and crude (aqueous) extract of Ocimum gratissimum. Results showed that ethanol extracts of Ocimum gratissimum completely inhibited the growth of Trichophyton rubrum (100%), Mucor indicus (100%) and Rhizopus nigricans (100%). Methanol extracts showed complete inhibition (100%) of all fungal isolates except Penicillium italicum (66.67%, Bori), while the results of the crude extract of Ocimum gratissimum showed that only Aspergillus terrus, Fusarium solani, Mucor indicus and Rhizopus nigricans were inhibited at 33.33% respectively. The activity of the extracts on the fungal isolates was concentration dependent especially as high concentrations of the extracts proved more potent than those with low concentrations. The extracts hold a potential in treating diseases that might arise as a result of using barbing equipment contaminated with pathogenic fungi.