Antifungal Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Blood Leaf

Student: Susan Pelumi Eniola (Project, 2025)
Department of Microbiology
Bamidele Olumilua University of Edu. Science and Tech. Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State


Abstract

Abstract
The study investigated the antifungal and antioxidant properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Iresine herbstii. Phytochemical analysis confirmed significant levels of phenolics (33.99±9.16 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (6.23±0.29 mg QAE/g). The extract showed potent antioxidant activity across DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with strong radical scavenging power (e.g., ABTS IC
50

: 2.09±0.24μg/mL). However, antifungal screening against Candida albicans and Mucor mucedo at concentrations up to 100% showed no inhibitory effects. The conclusion is that Iresine herbstii is a potential natural antioxidant source, but its antifungal efficacy needs further investigation.

Keywords
antifungal antioxidant extract activity properties ethanolic iresine herbstii showed blood