Fungitoxic Properties of Latex of Plants with Special Reference to that of Croton bonplandianum Boill

Abstract

During antifungal testing of latex (1:5 v/v in 50%, acetone) of 20 plant species against two ringworm fungi viz., Microsporum gypsrum and Trichophyron mentagrophytes, only the latex of Croton bonplandianum exhibited absolute toxicity inhibiting the mycelial growth of both the fungi. The latex of Argemone mexicana was found active against T. mentagrophytes while that of Jatropha panduraefolia against Microsporum gypseum only. Maximum dilution of Croton latex for absolute inhibition of M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes was found to be 1:10 and 1:15 respectively at which these showed static nature and narrow fungitoxic spectrum. The fungitoxicity remained stable at high temperature and long storage period.