Preliminary isolation and in vitro antiyeast activity of active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii.
OBJECTIVE
To isolate the active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii and to determine its in vitro antifungal activity.


METHODS
The active fraction was isolated from the crude extract of G. changii by various purification procedures such as column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, bioauthograph etc. The in vitro antifungal activity (Candida albicans) of the active fraction (1.00, 0.50, and 0.25 mg/ml) was studied by disc diffusion method and the effect of the active fraction on the morphology of yeast was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies.


RESULTS
An active fraction with remarkable antifungal activity was separated from the crude extract. The active fraction was effective as a fungicide against C. albicans and showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study confirmed the fungicidal effect of G. changii active fraction on C. albicans, by changing the normal morphology of C. albicans.


CONCLUSIONS
From G. changii crude extract, an active fraction with remarkable in vitro antifungal activity has been isolated.
Sasidharan
Sreenivasan
S
School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Darah
Ibrahim
I
Noordin
Mohd Kassim Mohd Jain
MK