GC/MS analysis and evaluating of antifungal potency of algal organic extracts against environmental and clinical identified fungal strains

Marine algae are promising biologically active compounds that can be used for antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of seven seaweed extracts, collected from Sidi Bouzid, El Jadida (Morocco), against three fungal strains, Aspergillus steynii, Chaetomium elatum and Chaetomium globosum, responsible of numerous impacts on the environment and human health. For that, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the chemical composition of the most active extracts were determined. The results obtained prove that methanolic extract of Osmundea pinnatifida and Ellisolandia elongata has the highest yield, followed by ethyl acetate extract of Jania rubens. Chaetomium elatum and Chaetomium globosum were the most sensitive strains using most of the organic seaweed's extract, compared to Aspergillus steynii, with 100 % of inhibition. Compared to other extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of Osmundea pinnatifida had the strongest antifungal activity with MIC of 1.95 μg/mL against Chaetomium globosum, the second strongest antifungal activity was observed using methanolic extract of Ellisolandia elongata with an MIC of 7.8 μg/mL. Chemical analysis of the active seaweeds' organic extracts shows the presence of different components dominated by heptadecanoic acid in methanolic extract of Ellisolandia elongata and methyl tetradecanoate in Osmundea pinnatifida and Bornetia secundiflora, which are known for their antibacterial and antifungal activities and may be responsible for the activity observed. •Evaluate antifungal activity of marine algae extracts from Sidi Bouzid, El Jadida.•Extracts tested against various fungal strains.•Most promising extract subjected to minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and chemical analysis.•Importance of marine algae as potential source for novel antimicrobial agents.•Potential solutions for combating fungal infections in environmental and human health contexts.