Antifungal Activity of Jatropha Curcas Linn on Candida Albicans and Candida Tropicalis Associated with Neonatal and Infantile Infections in Yola, Nigeria

One hundred and eighty (180) stool samples collected of neonates and infants from three selected health facilities in Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria. The samples were subjected to both microscopic, biochemical test and cultural identification. Bromocresol green agar and Germ tube test was used to identify Candida species. Culture of the stool samples on SDA yielded 32 yeast cells with Candida albicans as the predominant (90.63%) organism isolated followed by Candida tropicalis (9.37%). Extraction and screening for phytoconstituents of Jatropha curcas Linn parts (stem bark, leave and sap) by hot maceration using water and methanol. Showed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, alkanoids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides. Antifungal susceptibility testing on Mueller Hinton agar, showed yeast to be susceptible to the Methanol plant extract at 400-1000 µg/mL with highest diameters of zones of inhibition (20.00 mm for sap, 13.00 mm for stem bark and 11.00 mm for leave) than the aqueous plant extract. All the parts of Jatropha curcas Linn showed MIC range of 400-1200 µg/mL for both Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. GC-MS study showed the presence of 11 most abundant components out of 52 compounds of the methanol leaves extract 46 compounds of methanol stem bark extracts respectively all of which demonstrated antimicrobial activity. Result also showed 12 most abundant components out of 56 compounds in sap of Jatropha curcas Linn with antimicrobial activity. Further study on the toxicity and pharmacological activity should be carried out, with a view to sourcing novel antibiotic substances for possible development of broad spectrum drugs against both bacteria and fungi.