Antifungal Activity of Paragis (Eleusine Indica) Shoot Extract on Dandruff Causing P. Ovale Yeast

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition characterized by the flaking of skin at the scalp. This causes mild to severe harm to human integuments associated with the scalp and may also lead to embarrassment as it diminishes a person’s confidence essential for his/her well-being. In resolving this unfavorable condition, the process of antimicrobial inhibition will be utilized. The presence of high antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties make paragis a feasible dandruff-causing yeast inhibitor since these properties upon chemical reactions yield antibacterial and pain-relieving compounds.

METHODS

The paragis grass was collected, washed, and minced. The minced grasses were placed in a container filled with ethanol for 5 days maceration. The macerated grass underwent filtration and extraction through an improvised water bath set at 80 degrees Celsius. The extract obtained was diluted with water to meet the experimental design's demand. A nutrient agar solution was heated and poured to a petri dish to act as an environment for the bacteria. A swab of P. ovale was distributed evenly on the petri dish and was left there for 2-day cultivation. The cultured bacteria were checked to ensure that the experiment process is desirable. 4 mini filter disks were soaked for each concentration of the diluted extract for 2 hours and dried afterward .4 colonies of fungus were transferred to a test tube containing water with 0.9% salinity and left for 2 hours. 8 setups with nutrient agar solution were prepared and evenly distributed with bacteria from the test tube.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that a greater amount of paragis shoot extract and longer exposure time lead to a larger zone of inhibition, therefore, giving greater effectivity. The extract was found to be of tolerable and pleasant smell and of hydrophilic property. Hence, the conclusion that paragis grass is an effective antibiotic for dandruff-causing fungus, P. ovale, and can be utilized as a raw material for a dandruff-preventing shampoo or cleanser.

DISCUSSIONS

Paragis grass was proven to be an effective antimicrobial inhibitor for the dandruff-causing yeast, P.ovale. This was determined using five parameters: (1) the effect of varying amount of paragis shoot extract to the extent of antimicrobial inhibition, (2) the effect of varying exposure time to the extent of antimicrobial inhibition, (3) the difference on the diameters of the zones of inhibition with and without the treatment, (4) the scent tolerance of the extract, and (5) the water solubility of the extract.