Salindri Trijayanti, Sri Handayani

Antifungal Activity Test of The Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Strawberry Leaves Against Absidia corymbifera

Introduction

Antifungal activity test of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of strawberry leaves against absidia corymbifera . Discover antifungal activity of strawberry leaf extracts against Absidia corymbifera. Ethanol extract shows strong fungistatic potential as a natural treatment.

Abstract

Absidia corymbifera is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause serious infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. However, studies on natural antifungal agents effective against this species remain limited. This study investigates the antifungal activity of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) leaf extracts as a potential natural treatment against A. corymbifera. Aqueous and ethanol extracts were prepared using cold extraction methods—blending and maceration, respectively. Strawberry leaf extract was subjected to a qualitative phytochemical screening test and a quantitative total phenolic content test using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, then an antifungal activity test was carried out using the diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in the aqueous extract, while the ethanol extract contained tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. The total phenolic content of ethanol extract of strawberry leaves is greater than that of strawberry leaf aqueous extract. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of strawberry leaves showed fungistatic antifungal inhibition against A. corymbifera with a larger inhibitory zone diameter in strawberry leaf ethanol extract. These findings suggest that strawberry leaf extracts, particularly ethanol-based, hold promise as a natural antifungal agent for controlling infections caused by A. corymbifera.

Review

This study addresses a pertinent gap in the search for natural antifungal agents, specifically targeting *Absidia corymbifera*, an opportunistic pathogen of increasing clinical concern. The authors investigate the antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts derived from strawberry leaves, a readily available natural resource. By conducting phytochemical screening, total phenolic content analysis, and *in vitro* antifungal activity testing, the research aims to identify a sustainable and effective natural treatment. The preliminary findings, suggesting fungistatic activity against *A. corymbifera*, particularly from the ethanol extract, indicate a promising direction for further exploration in combating fungal infections. A significant strength of this work lies in its comprehensive initial characterization, including qualitative phytochemical screening which revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids—compounds well-known for their diverse biological activities. The quantitative assessment of total phenolic content, showing a higher concentration in the more active ethanol extract, provides a rationale for its superior performance. The study effectively demonstrates a differential antifungal effect between the two extraction methods, with the ethanol extract consistently yielding a larger inhibitory zone. This distinction is crucial for optimizing extraction protocols and harnessing the full therapeutic potential of strawberry leaf compounds. While the results are encouraging, the abstract hints at several areas for future refinement and expansion. For instance, the "diffusion method" for antifungal testing would benefit from the inclusion of specific experimental parameters such as the extract concentrations used, the nature of positive and negative controls, and precise criteria for measuring inhibitory zones to ensure reproducibility and comparability. Clarification on the distinction between fungistatic and fungicidal effects, potentially through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) assays, would provide a more complete understanding of the extracts' action. Furthermore, a more detailed description of the "cold extraction methods" with specific parameters (e.g., solvent ratios, extraction duration, temperature) would enhance methodological rigor. Future studies should aim to isolate and identify the specific compounds responsible for the antifungal activity and validate these findings through *in vivo* models.

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