Antifungal activity of cattail (Typha) leaf extracts against different fungal species using disc diffusion method

AbstractThis study evaluated the antifungal potential of Typha leaf extracts obtained using ethanol, methanol and aqueous solvents against four fungal species: Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria spp., and Penicillium spp. The disc diffusion assay was performed with extract concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mg/ml with fluconazole as a positive control. Ethanol extracts exhibited the highest antifungal activity across all fungi, with Alternaria spp. showing the greatest sensitivity (19.50 mm zone of inhibition at 100 mg/ml). Positive control fluconazole showed highest inhibition than all extracts of Typha. The lowest inhibition was observed against Fusarium oxysporum. These findings suggest that Typha leaf extracts, especially ethanolic ones, have significant antifungal properties and potential for development as natural antifungal agents.