Evaluation of Curcuma longa and Curcuma amada against aflatoxin producing fungus Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

Solvent extracts of rhizome of Curcuma amada and Curcuma longa were evaluated for antifungal potential against Aspergillus flavus. Amongst all the extracts, the hexane extracts of C. longa and chloroform extracts of C.amada showed promising results at higher dose of  0.8 mg/ml   by Agar well diffusion technique. In Radical growth method, hexane  extracts of C. longa showed 59.3 % inhibition, whereas C. amada   chloroform extracts exhibited 66.7%  reduction in growth at 1000microgram/ml. Significant activity of 76 percent inhibition of biomass was obtained in chloroform extract of Curcuma amada.  Leaf extracts had mild activities against all the test models. Study has provided lead for the development of antifungal agent from Curcuma amada rhizome, which is mainly used for the preparation of salads and pickles.