Keratinophilic fungi

Keratinophilic fungi are ecologically important fungi which degrade keratinous waste materials into simpler forms. Some of keratinophilic fungi are pathogenic for humans and animals and cause skin diseases. The aim of present study is to study the antifungal activity of leaves stem and flower extracts of Argemone mexicana against some isolated keratinophilic fungi viz. Chaetomium seminis-citrulli, Penicillium guttulosum, Aphanoascus terreus, Aphanoascus durus and Chrysosporium zonatum. The plant extracts were prepared with Soxhlet extraction in 80 percent methanol and further with diethyl ether using separating funnel. The antifungal activity of plant extracts was analysed by agar disc diffusion method on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium. Ketoconazole was used as the reference antifungal disc. The results were analysed in diameter of zone of inhibition. The result of present study indicated that Argemone mexicana have significant antifungal activity against all tested fungi. The bound flavonoid extract of Argemone mexicana recorded highest antifungal activity against keratinophilic fungi. Aphanoascus durus found to be the most susceptible fungal isolate among the tested fungi. The herbal antifungal discs in this study, were found more effective antifungal agents than reference antifungal drug.