ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF FRESHWATER GREEN-ALGAE(CHLOROPHYCEAE)

D. Snehalatha and B. Digamber Rao*

ABSTRACT

Four green algal members, Spirogyra biformis, Spirogyra crassa, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and Oedogonium crispum were tested for antifungal activity studies by using pathogenic fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton rubrum).The present study reveals that the Acetone extract of S. biformis expressed with maximum zone of inhibition (12±0.1) against Trichophyton rubrum strain with a concentration of 500 mg/ml, the Acetone extract of S. crassa showed maximum zone of inhibition (12±0.5) against Trichophyton rubrum, with a concentration of 500 mg/ml, The Acetone extract of R.hieroglyphicum showed maximum zone of inhibition (9±0.8) against Aspergillus flavus with a concentration of 500 mg/ml, The Chloroform extract of Oedogonium crispum expressed with maximum zone of inhibition (9±0.6) against Aspergillus flavus.Among the four members of chosen green-algae, S.biformis has exhibited with maximum zone of inhibition with a solvent of Acetone.The present investigation gives a clear picture that the different solvent extracts of green-algae were having the character of antifungal activity with a concentration of 500 mg/ml.

Keywords: Spirogyra biformis, Spirogyra crassa, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum, Oedogonium crispum, antifungal activity.