ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Phytochemical screening and antifungal activities of ethanolic flower extracts of medicinally important plants against Aspergillus niger from Bhagalpur region

Phytochemical screening and antifungal activity of ethanolic extracts of flowers from medicinally important plants Hibiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Cassia fistula and Clerodendrum Infortunatum were investigated against Aspergillus niger, a common fungal pathogen. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds in selected plant flowers and assess their potential antifungal efficacy. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of key secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenols, known for their antimicrobial properties. The antifungal activity was tested using the Poisoned Food technique, a technique that involves incorporating the test substance into a growth medium to observe its inhibitory effects on fungal growth. The Diameter of growth was measured to determine the efficacy of the extracts. Results indicated significant antifungal activity in the flower extracts of Moringa oleifera and Cassia fistula, suggesting their potential use in the development of natural antifungal agents. This study highlights the importance of exploring indigenous medicinal plants for alternative treatments against fungal infections.