Phytochemical Composition and Antifungal properties of Leaf, Stem and Florets of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Poaceae)

Ethanol extracts of leaf, stem and florets of Panicum maximum plant were investigated for antifungal activity by disc diffusion agar method. The phytochemical composition of the extracts were also determined. Leaf and floret extracts had significant antifungal activity with varing zones of inhibition on Aspergillus tamari, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albican: isolated from patients with skin diseases. The ethanol leaf extracts was more active than the floret extract. The ethanol leaf extract of Panicum maximum caused highest zone of inhibition (15.0 plus or minus 0.1mm) on A. tamari. The three extracts contain alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids in varying quantities which may have been responsible for the variation in their activities. Results support the use of this plant as antifungal agent.