Antifungal Activities of Camellia Sinensis Crude Extract on Selected Pathogenic and Mycotoxic Fungi

The objective of this study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) and fungicidal/ fungi static property of Camellia Sinensis crude extracts. The aqueous extracts of Camellia Sinensis were investigated against seven fungal species; Green and black tea crude (100mgmL-1) extracts were evaluated for antifungal activities. Quantitative bioassay was done using disc diffusion method and MIC done using broth dilution methods. The fungal isolates used for bioactivity testing were yeasts. Green tea crude extract showed stronger inhibitory effect against the fungal strains tested than black tea crude extract. There was a significant difference in zone of inhibitions (T=4.09, P<0.05). Zone of inhibition exhibited by green tea crude extracts (11.92±0.00mm) were higher than black tea (8.14±0.56mm). The pattern of activity by tea crude extracts against ATCC standard fungal strains and clinical isolates strains were similar. Candidafamata, Candidalusitaniae, Candidatropicalis ATCC 750 and dermatophyte, Trichophytonmentangrophyte were inhibited by green tea crude extract (IZD=15mm). Clinical isolates of Candida albicans (strain 4 and strain 5); Cryptococcus neoformans (strain 3, 5 and 12), showed susceptibility to Camellia Sinensis green crude extracts. The MIC of crude extracts against fungal isolates tested ranged from 50 mg mL-1 to 1.6 mg mL-1. Hot green tea crude extract (mean MIC 12.25mg mL-1) had a higher MIC on clinical fungal isolates than cold green tea crude extract (Mean MIC 12.167 mg mL-1).The studies on Camellia Sinensis have shown remarkable antifungal activity and highlighted its significance as potential health products.