The Antimicrobial Effect of Some Selected Nigerian Chewing Sticks on Clinical Isolates of Candida Species

Abstract

Extracts of selected chewing sticks ( Fagarazan thoxyloides, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Diste moranthus benthamianus ) obtained in Ibadan metropolis, were assayed for their antifungal activities against Candida sp(C. albicans, C. kruseiand C. tropicalis). Aqueous and ethanolic extractions were carried out to obtain the active ingredients of the chewing sticks. The agar diffusion method was used to assay the antifungal activity of the extracts. Both the aqueous and ethanol extracts of all the chewing sticks exhibited inhibitory activity on the growth of C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. The zones of inhibition produced by the different extracts against the Candida species were significantly different at standard of mean. Data from the present study have shown the chewing sticks as a potential candidate for the production of dentifrice and other natural products for oral hygiene and treatment of tooth problems