International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 04, (2020), pp. 11061-11068 Keratinophilic Fungi Isolated From The Soil In Saharanpur U.P Of India And In Vitro Evaluation Of Antifungal Activity Of The Cinnamon, Peppermint And Jasmine Essential Oils Against These Fungi Neeraj Choudhary, Richa Sharma and Krishna Kumar Department of Agricultural and Veterinary Science Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur- 303007, Rajasthan, India Abstract The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi isolated and characterized from different soil samples of India and to evaluate the antifungal potential of selected herbal extracts against seven dermatophytes. Soil is rich in pathogenic and non pathogenic keratinophilic fungi including dermatophytes. Most of these fungal species have already been reported as dermatophytes causing infections of skin, hair, etc. Two keratinous fragments, human hairs and animals’ hairs were used for the growth of fungi by the hair-baiting technique. 8 fungal samples were collected and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, containing chloramphenicol and incubated at 25 to 27°C. Isolates were identified on the basis of colony characterization and the morphology of the fungal strains. Eight different fungal species, namely, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton equinum were isolated. Out of them, T. mentagrophytes is most common T. tonsures and T. equinum and M.canis in this region. Evaluation of antifungal activity was carried out with different essential oil, namely, cinnamon oil peppermint oil and jasmine oil by the well diffusion method. In this assay, essential oil cinnamon peppermint oil and jasmine oil showed maximum antifungal activity. Therefore, these could be used as an alternative medicine against infections caused by dermatophytes. Introduction Cinnamon Essential Oil . Figure 1: Cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum Verum) ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC 11061 International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 04, (2020), pp. 11061-11068 Classification of Cinnamon Kingdom Platae Clade Angiosperms Clade Magnoliids Order Lauraceae Genus Cinnamomum Species C-verum Binomial Name Cinnamomum Verum Cinnamon bark essential oil is safe for topical, aromatic, and internal use cinnamon bark essential oil is known for causing skin sensitivity, so this oil should always be diluted before using topically. Cinnamon kills viruses. Cinnamon essential oil is touted as a natural remedy for health concerns ranging from cough and colds to constipation. In addition, cinnamon essential oil is said to stimulate reduce stress, relieve pain, fight off infection, improve digestion and protect against insects. Cinnamon leaf oil can be used as an additive in soaps to seasonings. When used in aromatherapy- diffused, applied topically or added to your bath water it can have health promoting effects. A small human study suggests that merely smelling cinnamon can improve performance several types of tasks. Cinnamon is a good source of the powerful antioxidant manganese. Two teaspoons of cinnamon provides about half the RDA of manganese, a powerful antioxidant that is crucial for brain. Figure 2: Peppermint oil (Mentha Piperita) Classification of Peppermint Oil Kingdom Plantae Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Asterids Order Lamiales Family Lamiaceae Binomical Name Mentha Piperita Peppermint (Mentha piperita Linn. (M. piperita) belongs to the family of Lamiaceae. Till date, all the 600 kinds of mints are raised from 25 well-defined species. The two most important are peppermint (M. piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Spearmint bears the strong aroma of sweet character with a sharp ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC 11062 International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 04, (2020), pp. 11061-11068 menthol undertone. Its oil constituents contain carvacrol, menthol, carvone, methyl acetate, limonene and menthone. The pharmacological action is due to menthol, a primary constituent of peppermint oil. At least 44% free menthol is present in peppermint oil. Components are sensitive to climate, latitude and maturity of the plant. Inhalation and application of menthol on skin causes a skin reaction. It is used in many liniments dosage form to relieve pain spasms and arthritic problems. Workers studies the peppermint oil for documented antispasmodic properties of oil make it a better choice during pain associated with the menstrual cycle and are also used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. When superficially applied around the head and temple, it has very good action on headache. Further, itching due to various reasons like herpes blisters, ringworm infestation, scabies, poison oak, and ivy can also be relieved. It is observed that it can relieve many bacterial, fungal, and viral infections when inhaled or applied in the form of a vapor balm. Sinus and lung congestion are also known to be cleared from this oil. Much have been said and discussed about the menthe oil by many researchers for its various activities but its use in aroma therapy needs more efforts. Figure 3: Jasmine oil (Jasminum Officinale) Classification of Jasmine Oil Kingdom Plantae Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Asterids Jasminum Order Lamiales Family Oleaceae Genus Jasminum Binomical Name Jasmine oil is excellent in treating dry dehydrated skin.. Jasmine oil is an essential oil derived from the white flowers of the common jasmine plant, also known as jasminum officnale. Jasmine oil besides acting as an excellent agent in fighting infections can also be used for its revitalizing effects on people. However, since it does have certain non sensitizing effects, it is not always pleasant to use on cracked or open wounds on the skin, as it can cause an allergic reaction, or irritation. Its aroma can prove effective in the treatment of insomnia and depression. It is a known as a popular aromatic herb jasmine essential oil has a sweet, exotic and richly floral smell. The more common species – jasminum grandiflorum is also used for essential oil extraction, but our 25% ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC 11063 International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 04, (2020), pp. 11061-11068 blend is made from jasminum officinale. Jasmine oil facilitates delivery in childbirth, it hastens the birth by strengthening the contractions and at the same time relieves pain. It is effective in post –natal depression and promotes the flow of breast milk. Jasmine oil tones dry, greasy, irritated and sensitive skin, increases elasticity and is often used to assist with stretch marks and to reduce scarring. Materials and Methods Selection of the Study Area The study was carried out at the Jayoti Vidyapeeth Womens University, Vedant Gyan Valley, Jharna, Jaipur, Rajasthan and it is 475.5 km away from Saharanpur city (U.P Collection of Different Plants for Extraction of Essential Oil The essential oil was purchased from Aadhunik Ayurveda Vitals Khasra no 79, Mohbaewala Industrial area Dehradun–Uttrakhand. Cinnamon bark oil, Jasmine flower oil and peppermint leave oil. Antimycotic Studies of Essential Oils against Selected Fungi by Disc Diffusion Method Oil was screened for their antifungal activity against fungus by disc diffusion method Rios et al., 1988. SDA medium f or disc diffusion test was prepared. After sterilization it was poured in to sterilized petriplates and allowed to solidify. Then one day old fresh culture of keratinophilic were be used for inoculums preparation. A suspension was just tubid (~0.5 McFarland standard) by visual inspection was prepared by suspending fungus in 0.9% NaCl solution and the homogeneous suspension was used for inoculation. Using a sterile cotton swab, fungal cultures were swabbed on the surface of sterile Sabourauds dextrose agar plates. Sterilized filter paper discs were soaked in neat, undiluted (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) concentration of oils. Using an ethanol dipped and flamed forceps, oil saturated discs of 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% concentration were aseptically placed over Sabourauds dextrose agar plates seeded with the respective test microorganism. The antibiotic discs of Clotrimazole and Ketoconazole (10 mcg disc-1) were also aseptically placed over the seeded Sabourauds dextrose agar plates as a standard drug for comparison of antifungal activity of Cinnamon oil, peppermint oil and Jasmine oils. The plates were incubated at 28ºC for 24 hr. The diameter of the inhibition zones was measured in mm. Three replicates were kept in each case and average values were calculated. The activity of oils was measured by the following formula. Inhibition zoneof sample AI Activityindex = Inhibition zoneof standard Results and Discussion In the present study, the antifungal activity of peppermint oil, jasmine oil and cinnamon essential oils against dermatophytes were evaluated. The selected test fungi were T. mentagrophytes T. tonsurans, T. equinum and M. canis. In the current study, T. mentagrophytes T. tonsurans, T. equinum, and M. canis was found predominant dermatophytes isolated from soils. Disc diffusion method was employed for the screening of essential oils. The diameter of Inhibition at different concentrations 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and jasmine oil as shown in table no 4.20, 4.21 and 4.22 against selected dermatophytes the present results suggest that peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and jasmine oil exhibits strong