European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF THE PRELIMINARY ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS FOUND IN SACRED GROVES OF PENCHALIKONA, TIRUMALA, TALAKONA AND SRISAILAM OF ANDHRA PRADESH

N. V. Ramana*

ABSTRACT

In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity by disc diffusion method carried out on epiphytic roots and leaves of Vanda tessellate Hook. Ex G. Don (NV01) from Penchalikona, and its ecotypes Vanda tessellate Hook. Ex G. Don (NV14) from Talakona and Vanda tessellata Hook. Ex G. Don (NV16) from Srisailam, Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann (NV06) and its ecotype Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) (N V11) Blatt. & McCann from Tirumala and Vanda testacea Rchb.f. from Srisailam with three solvents methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate. None of the n-hexane extracts of both leaves and roots of the tested species were effective inhibitors against the three fungal strains tested. Overall, of all tested specimens, ethyl acetate extracts of both roots and leaves were shown to be more efficient growth retarders compared to methanolic counterparts.

Keywords: Epiphytes, Orchidaceae, Antifungal activity, Methanol, N-Hexane, Ethyl acetate, Disc diffusion method.