EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL EFFECT ON AQUEOUS- ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BARK of ANNONA SQUAMOSASTEM.

Annona Squamosa, a multipurpose, drought resistant evergreen tree commonly known as “Custard apple” belonging to family Annonaceae, is gaining lot of importance for its therapeutic potentials. Various part of tree has been used in traditional folkloric medicine. The crushed leaves are sniffed to overcome hysteria and fainting spells; they are also applied on ulcer and wounds and a leaf decoction is taken in case of dysentery. This research aim at testing the antifungal activity of Aqueous+ethanolic extract of Annona squamosa stem bark extract against Fusarium equiseta, Aspergillus flavus, Alternariaalternate in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presences of essential oil, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, Glycosides, tannins, amino acid, steroids. The antifungal activity ofAqueous +ethanolic extract of Annona squamosa stem barkwas evaluated by employing various concentration (2-8mg).All the concentration of stem bark extract inhibited the fungal growth. Among different doses, the diameter of inhibition zone ranged from 3to 18 mm in various fungal species. Hence, the results of the present investigations indicate the Annona squamosastem bark extract possess antifungal activity that can be exploited as an ideal treatment for future fungal disease.