The efficacy of herbal remedies as potential antifungal agents was evaluated against two sapstain and three decay fungi. Sapstain fungi included Sphaeropsis sapinea, and Leptographium procerum, and decay fungi were Oligoporus placenta, Coniophora puteana, and Schizophyllum commune. Out of six herbal remedies tested, three showed moderate to high antifungal activity. Caprylic acid had high antifungal activity (MIC of 0.005 – 0.025% w/v dependant on fungi) when tested on Petri-dishes and moderate activity when progressed to pure culture wood decay trials. Pau d’arco and echinacea both showed moderate antifungal activity in vitro. There appeared to be an enhanced antifungal activity when caprylic acid with pau d’arco or caprylic acid with echinacea was evaluated. However when all three extracts were tested in combination, activity decreased.

Download document (149 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document