ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF GARLIC EXTRACT ON FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Researchers from all around the world are becoming more interested in the medicinal properties of plant extracts. Since modern medicine has its own benefits and drawbacks, plant-based solutions are becoming more and more popular since they are risk-free, readily available, and reasonably priced. The main purpose of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on fungi associated with urinary tract infections among female students of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. Garlic cloves were purchased from North Bank market and were transported to Microbiology Laboratory. They were blended into paste and were extracted using maceration method. Urine samples collected were analyzed using standard microbiological methods.  Extract concentrations from 500mg/mL-100mg/mL were prepared using a double standard dilution method. About 50 urine samples were collected and the fungi present in the urine were isolated using standard microbiological methods. Susceptibility analysis of the fungal isolates was done using the aqueous and ethanolic garlic extract, and the zones of inhibitions obtained at the various concentrations were compared with a positive control (fluconazole). Analysis of data obtained was done using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The result showed a mean zone of inhibition of 17.6×10± 1.00×10 mm at a concentration of 500mg/mL, 13.6×10 ± 1.52×10 mm at a concentration of 250mg/mL and 22.0×10 ± 1.00x10mm for the positive control (fluconazole) on Candida albicans using the aqueous garlic extract while for the ethanolic garlic extract showed a  mean zone of inhibition of 18.3x10±1.52×10mm at a concentration of 500mg/mL 13.0×10 ± 2.00×10 mm at 250mg/mL. The mean zones of inhibition for 200mg/mL, 125mg/mL, and 100mg/mL were 9.67x10±5.77×10 mm, 7.67×10 ±5.77×10 mm and 3.67×10± 5.77×10mm respectively. Garlic extract has potential antifungal activity on the isolated urinary tract organisms and as such can be used as a natural antifungal agent in the control of fungal urinary tract infections.