Antifungal Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Avicennia Marina Leaves Extracts on Alternaria Alternata and Penicillium Citrinum

Avicenniaceae family is a member of true mangrove plants which has one genus, 11 species and several sub species. According to biologically active compounds and traditional uses of the leaves in the traditional medician it, seems that this plant has significant anti-fungal effects. The aim of this study was evaluation of antifungal effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Avicennia marina leaves against Alternaria alternata and Penicillium citrinum. In this labratory study antifungal effect were of extracts evaluated by two methods, “Collins method” and “disk agar diffusion method” on Alternaria alternata PTCC 5224 and Penicillium citrinum PTCC 5304 microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for both species were determined using “dilution method”. Statistical analysis was carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. All methanolic extract concentrations had inhibitory effect in the disk agar diffusion method. In “Collins method” 2 mg/ml concentration of methanolic extract could prevent the growth of both strains on medium. The aqueous extract had no antifungal significant effect in 2 mg/ml concentration. The methanolic extract MIC of Avicennia marina leaves for Penicillium citrinum and Alternaria alternata were respectively 8 mg/ml and 16 mg/ml. But the aqueous extracts MIC of Avicennia marina leaves for Penicillium citrinum was 32 mg/ml and 64 mg/ml for Alternaria alternata was. The methanolic extract MFC of Avicennia marina leaves for Penicillium citrinum and Alternaria alternata were respectively 16 mg/ml and 32 mg/ml but the aqueous extracts MFC of Avicennia marina leaves for Penicillium citrinum was 64 mg/ml and 256 mg/ml for Alternaria alternata. The methanolic extract of Avicennia marina leaves had more inhibitory effect than the aqueous extracts on both fungal species.