The effect of Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Salvia officinalis (sage) and Cassia spp.(seena) extracts in the growth of Aspergillus ustus

ABSTRACT The fungus Aspergillus ustus was isolated from external ear inflammation. This fungus rarely infects human because it infects immunocompromised patients causing cutaneous, endocarditis and pneumonia infections. It is also a pathogenic plant and contaminating the crops. The effect of alcoholic extract of leaves of Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Salvia officinalis (sage) and Cassia spp.(seena), was tested by using four concentrations for each extract 5,10,15,20 mg/ml. Results were compared with the antifungal ketoconazole and with the biocontrol agents Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum. It is noticed that the highest percentage of inhibition was at concentration 20mg/ml for all the plant extracts used for inhibition percentage for A. millefolium, S. officinalis and Cassia spp.were 56.6%, 83.3% and 100% respectively. For ketoconazole the percentage of inhibition was 100% for all concentrations used in this study. The biocontrol agents T. harzianum and T. viride proved to have a high antagonistic ability against the pathogen. This proves that the alcoholic leaves extracts of these plants were more inhibitory for the fungus in addition to biocontrol agents.