Impact of Extraction Solvent on Phytochemical Profile and Antifungal Efficacy of Vitellaria paradoxa Leaf Extracts against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis

The increasing resistance of fungal pathogens to conventional antifungal drugs necessitates the search for alternative therapeutic agents. Vitellaria paradoxa has been recognised for its medicinal properties, but solvent-dependent variations in its antifungal potency remain underexplored. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antifungal efficacy of methanolic and aqueous extracts of V. paradoxa leaves against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis. Fungal isolates were obtained from the previously stocked samples in the Microbiology Laboratory, Bauchi State University, Gadau, while V. paradoxa leaves samples were purchased from Azare Central Market. Phytochemical screening of the leaves was performed using standard qualitative methods, while antifungal efficacy was assessed through the disc diffusion technique. Phytochemical screening revealed both both extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and phenols, while glycosides and carbohydrates were detected only in the methanolic extract, and saponins were exclusive to the aqueous extract. Antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated that methanolic extracts exhibited significantly higher potency, with inhibition zones reaching 19.0±2.00 mm against M. canis at 200 mg/mL, whereas the aqueous extract showed minimal inhibition. The methanolic extract also had lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC), suggesting greater efficacy in disrupting fungal growth. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p = 0.049) confirmed a significant difference between the efficacy of the methanolic and aqueous extracts. These findings highlighted the importance of solvent choice in optimising antifungal activity and suggested that methanolic extracts of V. paradoxa may serve as a potential alternative to synthetic antifungal agents.