7 International Journal of Research in Pure and Applied Microbiology 2014; 4(1): 7-9 ISSN 2277–3843 Original Article Antifungal Potentiality of Polyalyhia Longifolia Leaf Extract Kratika Kumari* 1 , Sharmita Gupta 2 1 Department of Botany, Lab of Microbiology, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282005, India. 2 Department of Botany, Lab of Microbiology, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282005, India. Email: sd.kratika@gmail.com Tel: +919411249307 Received 12 December 2013; accepted 24 December 2014 Abstract Polyalthia longifolia is commonly used to treat fever, gonorrhea, uterus ailment, depress heart muscles and alleviating noise pollution. The present study aims to determine antifungal potentiality of Polyalthia longifolia against various clinically significant fungal strains (Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium moniliforme). Assessment of antifungal potentiality of Polyalthia longifolia was done by paper disc diffusion method. In this study, three extraction media (Ethanol, Acetone, Aqueous) were used. Data depicts that the pattern of inhibition largely depend upon extraction solvent. Organic extracts provided more potent antifungal activity as compared to aqueous extracts. Leaves of Polyalthia longifolia showed significant inhibition. Leaves of Polyalthia longifolia showed excellent activity against Aspergillus fumigatus in ethanolic extracts. Literature survey has not reflected any activity of Polyalthia longifolia against Fusarium moniliforme therefore; antifungal activity of Polyalthia longifolia against Fusarium moniliforme is reported for the first time. MIC of the extract against the tested fungal strains ranges between 25μg/μl to 50 μg/μl. © 2011 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved Key words: Paper disc diffusion method, Antifungal potentialities, Candida albicans, Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus niger. INTRODUCTION Polyalthia is a large genus of shrubs and trees distributed in tropic and subtropic regions. It belongs to the family Annonaceae, which comprises 120 genera and more than 2000 species. Polyalthia longifolia Thw. A tall, handsome, evergreen tree with a straight trunk and drooping horizontal branches, is a native of Sri lanka and cultivated all over indo- Pakistan sub-continent [1]. Various parts of P. longifolia are used to treat fever, gonorrhea, uterus ailment, leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. Decoction made from bark is used as cure for mouth ulcers. Ethno pharmacological reports suggest that P. longifolia depresses heart muscles, lowers blood pressure and stimulates respiration. Further screening of this medicinal plant may result in the discovery of novel effective compounds. Commonly, it is planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution. MATERIALS AND METHODS This work was carried out between January 2011 to August 2011. The plant being a perennial one, there was no difficulty in getting the material for the investigation. Microbes used: A total of four microbes Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium moniliforme are selected to assess susceptibility patterns against the phytochemical extracts. Fungal cultures will be maintained in SDA slants at 28 0 C. Collection of plant material: The fully mature P. longifolia Plant was collected from Heera bagh park, Agra. Plant materials were washed separately under running tap water, followed by rinse using sterilized distilled water. Excess of water was removed from the plant material using filter paper before they were used for extraction. Extract preparation: Aqueous extract: Dried plant material was grinded by using grinder, and 10 gm of grinded plant material was dissolved in 100 ml distilled water and left for 48 hrs. at room temperature and then filtered using muslin cloth. The filtrate was collected in fresh sterilized conical flask and used within 24 hrs. for evaluation of antimicrobial activity. Solvent extract: 10 gm grinded plant material was dissolved in 100 ml organic solvent (Ethanol & Acetone) and after 48 hrs. filtered with muslin cloth. Extracts were stored at 4 0 C for further use. Assessment of antifungal potentiality of plant extract against clinically significant fungal strains: The antifungal potentiality of plant extract of P. longifolia against the target fungal strains were studied in terms of – a) Paper disc diffusion method [2,3]: Antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method was carried out. Disc measuring 06 mm in diameter was pinched from Available online at http://www.urpjournals.com International Journal of Research in Pure and Applied Microbiology Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved