Determination Of Antifungal Activity Of Essential Oil Of Mentha Piperita (Mint)

Abstract

Fungal infections are a major global health problem, particularly in vulnerable populations such as immunocompromised individuals and those living in resource-limited settings. Traditional anti-fungal agents are often associated with high costs, side effects, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a need for the development of new, safe, and effective anti-fungal agents. This study aimed to investigate the anti-fungal activity of mint essential oil against selected fungal strains. The leaves of mint were gathered, dried and powdered. After that, hydro distillation method was used for isolation of essential oil. The anti-fungal activity of the essential oil was evaluated against three fungal strains, including Aspergillus niger, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichophyton interdigitale, using a two-fold dilution. The results showed that the mint essential oil had a significant effect on the growth of the fungi, with two of the three strains being highly sensitive. The concentrated essential oil was found to be most effective at preventing fungal growth. These findings suggest that Mint essential oil has potential as an anti-fungal agent, particularly against Cryptococcus neoformans. The use of different types of plant essential oil such as mint essential oil could provide a promising approach for the development of new anti-fungal agents, particularly in the context of drug-resistant infections.

Keywords

• antifungal
• hydro distillation
• mentha piperita
• multi drug resistance