Antifungal Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Cymbopogon citratus, Cajanus cajan and Plectranthus amboinicus Leaves Collected in Guyana, South America

Aims: Medicinal plants have been a fundamental part of the human health since existence. Guyana is surrounded high in the green shoulder of northern South America and shares Amazon River and Amazon Forest. South American population use plant extracts obtained from traditional medicinal plants as treatment for many infectious diseases. The study aimed to estimate antifungal property and chemical composition of the three medicinal plants Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Plectranthus amboinicus (thick leaf thyme) leaves collected from the coastal areas of Guyana.

Study Design: Experiment based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Plants were gathered along the East Coast of Guyana and identified at the Biodiversity Center, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana between January 2017- May 2017.

Methodology: Phytochemical extraction was conducted using the soxhlet and rotovap apparatus and an aqueous extraction method. Data analysis of the study was done using R-Studio Program for statistical computing and graphics. A Tukey test was done along with ANOVA and Boxplots.

Results: Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals was carried out and the presence of terpenoids, steroids, glycoside, alkaloid, tannins and saponins were positive in some plants. Antifungal activity was tested using the poisoned food and well diffusion techniques.

Conclusion: In conclusion, C. cajan showed significant zones of inhibition using a well diffusion technique whereas hexane extract showed significant inhibition with poisoned food technique.