The antifungal activities of aqueous, ethanolic and chloroform extracts of cucumber fruit (Cucumis sativus)
was carried out on some pathogenic organisms, (Microsporum audouinii, Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans).
Qualitative phytochemical screening of Cucumis sativus revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins,
steroids, lignans and triterpenes. Ethanol, chloroform and aqueous extracts of Cucumber bark and pulp were obtained. The
antimicrobial activities of the extracts were evaluated using Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion assays against the three test
organisms and the minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the broth tube dilution method and minimum
fungicidal concentrations were also obtained. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts varied considerably. From the
screening test, the crude extracts of cucumber bark had antifungal effects on dermatophytes, Microsporum audouinii and
Malassezia furfur with the chloroform extracts having much significant effect. None of the extracts of cucumber had any
effect on Candida albicans while aqueous extracts of cucumber also do not have any antifungal effects. Chloroform extracts
of cucumber bark showed the best antimicrobial activity inhibiting two test organisms with highest activity against
Malassezia furfur 25.75±1.71mm and least against Microsporum audouinii 19.50±0.96mm each while ethanolic extract of
cucumber bark and pulp had the least inhibiting on Microsporum audouinii with zone diameter of 7.5±0.58mm. The highest
zone of inhibition in this study was also produced by Chloroform extracts of cucumber bark against Malassezia furfur with
zone diameter of 25.75±1.71mm. Statistical analysis shows that there is significant difference in the sensitivity of test
organisms to cucumber extracts at P-value <0.05 using the one-way ANOVA. The implication of results of this study is that
ethanolic and chloroform extracts of cucumber bark can be explored in the treatment of human dermatophytes.
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