ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF GUAVA LEAVES AND ORANGE STEM AGAINST CANDIDA ALBICAN AND ASPERGILLUS NIGER

ABSTRACT The rise of antifungal resistance among pathogenic fungi highlights the need for alternative therapeutic agents from medicinal plants. This study evaluates the antifungal activities of aqueous extracts of guava (Psidium guajava) leaves and orange (Citrus sinensis) stems against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The plant materials were collected, air-dried, pulverized, and subjected to aqueous extraction. Antifungal efficacy was determined using the agar well diffusion method, with zones of inhibition measured to assess activity. Results revealed that both guava leaves and orange stem aqueous extracts exhibited inhibitory effects against the tested fungi, though with varying degrees of potency. Phytochemical screening of guava (Psidium guajava) and orange (Citrus spp.) leaf extracts detected tannins, phenols, saponins, and flavonoids consistently in both plants. Fungal pathogens Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were identified culturally and morphologically. The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Results showed that both plant extracts exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory effects on the test organisms. Guava leaf extract demonstrated a higher zone of inhibition against Candida albicans, while orange stem extract showed stronger activity against Aspergillus niger. The differences in antifungal potency may be attributed to variations in the concentration and types of phytochemicals present.This indicates that A.niger was more susceptible to the extracts compared to C.albicans. These findings suggest both leaf extracts possess bioactive phytochemicals with promising antifungal efficacy, particularly at higher concentrations. Keywords, Guava leaves, Orange Stem, Candida albican, Aspergillus niger.