IRIS
Journal for Young Scientists
ISSN 2278-618X (Print)
ISSN 2278-6384 (Online)
© Patna Women’s College, Patna, India
Antifungal Properties of Plant Extracts on Dandruff Causing Fungi Malassezia furfur
• Shobha Shrivastava • Sakshi Raj • Susmita Suman • Vandana
Received : January, 2024
Accepted : February, 2024
Corresponding Author : Shobha Shrivastava
Abstract: Dandruff is a common scalp disorder that affects millions of people of the world. It is caused by the excessive growth of a fungus called Malassezia furfur, which feed on the sebum and dead skin cells of the scalp. Dandruff can cause itching, flaking, and inflammation of the scalp, and can also affect the quality of life and self-esteem of the sufferers. Many commercial anti-dandruff shampoos are available in the market, but they may have side effects such as dryness, irritation, or allergic reactions. Therefore, there is a need to find natural and safe alternatives for the treatment and prevention of dandruff.
In this study, the anti-dandruff activity of seven plant extracts were tested. Coriander (Coriandrum
sativum),fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and extract of coconut.These are widely used in traditional medicine for various skin diseases and have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant properties. Alcoholic extracts of the plant parts were taken using methanol as a solvent. And then the extracts were tested against Malassezia furfur using the agar well diffusion method and disc diffusion method.
Results showed that all plant extracts had significant anti-dandruff activity against Malassezia furfur.
Keywords: Malassezia furfur, zone of inhibition.
Shobha Shrivastava
Head, Department of Zoology,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Bailey Road, Patna–800 001, Bihar, India
E-mail : shobha.zoo@patnawomenscollege.in
Sakshi Raj
M.Sc. II year, Zoology, Session : 2022-2024,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Susmita Suman
M.Sc. II year, Zoology, Session : 2022-2024,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Vandana
M.Sc. II year, Zoology, Session : 2022-2024,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
