Preliminary Phytochemical and Antifungal Studies of Sea Grass, Posidonia oceanica obtained from Mediterranean Sea of Libya

The aim of the present study was to assess the antifungal activity of Mediterranean tape weed or Neptune grass, Posidonia oceanica, most common plant found in the Mediterranean Sea. The aqueous extract of sea grasses powder was tested for antifungal activity against two fungal strains Pythium spp. and Aspergillus flavus using fungal growth inhibition assay method. Results obtained showed that all the extracts concentrations (5, 10, 15 %, w/v) reduced fungal colony growth by 33.33 - 50 %. It was found that all tested extract-s concentrations inhibited growth of Aspergillus flavus by 33.33 %, however, among all tested extracts concentrations, maximum inhibition was noted against Pythium spp. (50 %) at 5 %, w/v extract-s concentration. These findings indicated that Posidonia oceanica can be used as antifungal agent against the above two tested fungal strains and this plant seems to be considered for further study in an attempt to investigate the active chemical entities combating against pathogenic fungal strains.