Solvent-Dependent Variations in Phytochemical Composition and Antifungal Potency of Vitellaria paradoxa Extracts against Selected Fungal Isolates

Abstract

The increasing resistance of fungal pathogens to conventional antifungal drugs necessitates the
search for alternative therapeutic agents. Vitellaria paradoxa has been recognized for its
medicinal properties, but solvent-dependent variations in its antifungal potency remain
underexplored. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antifungal efficacy
of methanolic and aqueous extracts of V. paradoxa leaves against Candida albicans,
Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis. The fungal isolates were obtained from the
stocked samples of the Microbiology Laboratory Bauchi State University Gadau, while, the
leaves samples were purchased from Azare Central Market. The leaves were dried, grounded
and subjected to cold maceration extraction using methanol and distilled water. Phytochemical
screening was performed using standard qualitative methods, while, antifungal efficacy was
assessed through disc diffusion. Phytochemical screening revealed that both extracts contained
alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and phenols, while glycosides and carbohydrates were
detected only in the methanolic extract, and saponins were exclusive to the aqueous extract.
No statistically significant association between the type of solvent (aqueous or methanol) and
the presence of phytochemicals (p-value = 0.522>0.05), however, the study suggested that,
small differences between the groups could have occurred by chance (Chi-Square = 0.41)
Antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated that methanolic extracts exhibited significantly
higher potency, with inhibition zones reaching 19.0±2.00 mm against M. canis at 200 mg/mL,
whereas the aqueous extract showed minimal inhibition. The methanolic extract also had lower
minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC),
suggesting greater efficacy in disrupting fungal growth. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p =
0.049) confirmed a significant difference between the efficacy of the methanolic and aqueous
extracts. These findings highlighted the importance of solvent choice in optimizing antifungal
activity and suggested that methanolic extracts of V. paradoxa may serve as a potential
alternative to synthetic antifungal agents. Further studies on toxicity and pharmacological
applications are recommended.
Keywords: Antifungal, Solvent, Extraction, Phytochemicals, Infections