In vitro antifungal activities of simarouba glauca against aspergillus parasictus

Since time immemorial Simarouba glauca have been used as a natural medicine in the tropics. Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and Penicillium puberulum are well known transmitters of aflatoxin. Crude methanol and ethanol extracts from fresh and dried leaves of Simarouba glauca were tested for their inhibitory activity against pathogenic aflatoxin producing fungus Aspergillus parasiticus. Screening for the antifungal activity using well diffusion assay showed the inhibition against the tested fungi. Ethanolic extracts were found to be more effective as compared to methanolic extracts against the fungus. The present study shows that Simarouba glauca could be new a source for antifungal agent. The continuance of this study should include the isolation of the compounds responsible for the antifungal activity present in this medicinal plant.