EVALUATION OF MURRAYA EXTRACTS FOR CONTROLLING FUNGI GROWTH ON ZAPOTA THROUGH ESTIMATION STUDIES

Medicinal plants are various plants which are used in herbalism having medicinal properties. Few plants or their phytochemical constituents have been proven to have medicinal effects by rigorous science or have been approved by regulatory agencies. Shade dried leaves of Murraya koenigii was extracted using successive solvent extraction method using ethanol, chloroform and aqueous. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, deoxysugars, phenols, tannins, flavonoid, glycosides and anthraquinone. The extracts were tested for its antifungal activity against Penicillium, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium. Manilkara zapota was inoculated with the fungus and the ability of extracts to maintain the protein and sugar content was evaluated. Aqueous extract was found to be more active against Penicillium and A. niger in maintaining the protein and sugar content. Ethanol and chloroform extracts was found to be more active against A. flavus in maintaining the sugar content and A. niger in maintaining the protein content.