Neetu Jain

Distribution of dermatophytes and other related fungi in Jaipur city, with particular reference to soil pH.

Screening of 217 soil samples of different habitats, such as PG study centre, garden, farmhouse, nursery, roadside, hostel, animal habitat, bird habitat, marriage garden, temple, vegetable market and house dust, was carried out for the presence of dermatophytes and related fungi in relation to soil pH. A total of 461 isolates belonging to 26 genera and 34 species were recorded. Soil pH values vary from 3 to 10.5. Trichophyton verrucosum, Microsporum audouinii and M. canis were isolated for the first time in Jaipur from pH range 7.0 to 9.0. Chrysosporium tropicum (46.08%) was the most predominant fungus isolated from pH range 6.5 to 9.5. Trichophyton mentagrophytes (24.88%) was the second most common fungal species isolated from pH 6.5 to 9.5. Most of the keratinophilic fungi were isolated from pH 6.5 to 8.5. Only one isolate of Fusarium moniliforme was reported from a highly acidic site at pH 3. Roadside and garden soils were found to be the most suitable sites for almost all keratinophilic fungi.

Chemical Composition of the Leaf Oil of Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia Collected from Udaipur, Rajasthan and their Screening Against Fungi Causing Dermatophytosis in Human Beings

Abstract Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia an important medicinal plant, was collected from forest nursery Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Plant is very known among local tribal and sub-tribal community due to their medicinal importance. Oil was extracted through hydrodistillation method using Clevenger’s apparatus. GC/GC-MS analysis of C. martinii essential oil exhibited presence of 37 compounds. The major constituents were sabinol (19.19 %), trans-p-mentha-2,8-dienol (18.67 %), trans-carveol (18.27 %), cis-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol (11.11 %), cis-carveol (7.66 %), delphone (7.47 %), carvone (3.72 %), durenol (3.01 %), limonene (1.76 %) and camphene (1.59 %). Antidermatophytic activity of C. martinii leaves essential oil was carried out against selected dermatophytic fungi and Candida albicans using disc diffusion technique and by minimum inhibitory concentration determinations. Maximum 80.67±0.289 mm inhibition zone and activity index 3.2 was observed against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MTCC 7687) followed by 78.33±1.527 mm against M. fulvum (MTCC 2837) and 45.5±0.500 mm against T. rubrum (MTCC 296). Minimum inhibitory concentration was ranged from 2 μl/ml to 3 μl/ml against tested fungi. Present study concluded that essential oil of Cymbopogon martinii Var. Sofia have strong antimicrobial properties.

Phytochemical Screening and Antidermatophytic Activity of Cymbopogon citratus Leaves Essential Oil and their Fractions

Abstract At least one million people are suffering from dermatophytosis in India. These mycoses although normally not lethal are unpleasant and difficult to cure and cause considerable economic loss. Present study was designed to explore the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus and its fractions against fungi causing infection in human beings. C. citratus (DC) Stapf. commonly known as lemon grass (family Poaceae) was collected from the Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Oil was extracted through hydrodistillation method using Clevenger’s apparatus. GC/ GC-MS analysis of C. citratus essential oil exhibited presence of 36 compounds. The major constituents was found to be 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal commonly known as α-citral (48.26%) and β-citral (39.85%) followed by limonene (1.70%), propylamylketone (1.88%), (3E)-3,7-dimethylocta- 3,6-dienal (1.43%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.07%). Maximum zone of inhibition 85.3±0.577 mm and Activity Index=3.4 were reported against Trichophyton mentagrophytes followed by T. rubrum (IZ=45±1.000 mm, AI=1.50) Microsporum canis (IZ=42±0.000 mm, AI=2.94), M. fulvum (IZ=40±1.414 mm, AI=1.33) and Candida albicans (IZ=32±1.000 mm, AI=1.14). MIC was ranging from 0.1 μg /ml to 0.5 μg /ml. C. citratus oil was further subjected in glass oven of Buchii’s for fractions separation. Six fractions were collected and label as CyI- CyVI. MIC of CyIII was ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 μg /ml, CyIV and CyV were ranging from 0.3 μg /ml to 0.6 μg/ml, CyVI from 0.4 to 1.6 μg/ml. Present study concluded that essential oil of C. citratus leaves have strong antimicrobial properties and thus could produce alternative therapeutics to current antibiotic drugs.

Evaluation of Citrus lemon Essential Oil for its Chemical and Biological Properties Against Fungi Causing Dermatophytic Infection in Human Beings

Abstract The aim of present investigation is to analysis the chemical compositions of essential oil obtained from Citrus lemon L. fruit peel collected from local market of Jaipur, Rajasthan through GC and GC-MS analysis and screening of essential oil against organisms causing skin infections in human beings. A total 45 components were identified out of 100% of total essential oil. Limonene was found to be the major constituent (43.07%) followed by β-pinene (12.61%), gamma terpinene (11.48%), α-terpineol (7.20%), α-pinene (3.39%), myrecene (1.87%), geraniol (1.48%), α-terpinene (1.32%), α-terpinolene (2.37%), linalool (1.08%) and cis-α-bergamotene(1.38%). Antifungal activity was determined through disc diffusion method and by minimum inhibitory concentration. Maximum 14±0.000 mm inhibition zone was observed against Microsporum fulvum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes followed by 12±1.000 mm against T. rubrum. MIC was ranged from 0.4-1.1 μg/ml. Its maximum effect was seen against T. tonsurnas 0.4±0.000 μg/ml, followed by 0.8±0.000 μg/ml against T. rubrum, 0.8±0.577 mm against T. mentagrophytes, 0.9±0.000 μg/ml against M. fulvum and 1.1±0.050 μg/ml against C. albicans.

Insignificant antidermatophytic activity of Brassica campestris oil

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidermatophytic activity of Brassica campestris oil against selected dermatophytes through a disc diffusion technique. Materials and Methods : Four concentrations of mustard oil, 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, were screened against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton simii, Chrysosporium indicum, and Chrysosporium tropicum through the disc diffusion technique. Results : The result showed that 25% and 50% concentrations of oil did not show any zone of inhibition. 75% and 100% concentration showed very poor activity against T. rubrum, T. simii, and C. indicum but in the case of C.tropicum, no zone of inhibition was observed . Conclusion: The mustard oil does not exhibited significant antidermatophytic activity in the disc diffusion method.