SCREENING IN-VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS L. VAR. CAUDATUS.

The aim of present investigation was to evaluate antifungal activity of ethanolic extract of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus. The antifungal activity using agar disk diffusion method was determined against six fungal strains; Aspergillus niger, Trichphyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, Fusarium lini, Candida glabrata and Candida albicans. Four different concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400μg/ml) of Raphanus caudatus extract and standard drug (Miconazole) were tested against fungi and zone of growth inhibition were measured. Raphanus caudatus exhibited remarkable antifungal activity (p < 0.05) against all fungi at all tested concentrations except Fusarium lini which was inhibited only at higher concentrations (400 and 800μg/ml). It is noted that with increase in concentration, the zones of growth inhibition were also increased. Thus Raphanus caudatus could be a lead for development of antifungal agents in future.