Interaction of Natural Antifungals with Metal Hexacyanoferrates (II) and Its Medical Applications
Rebecca Harris
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, P.O.Box: 101110, Georgetown, Guyana.
Sharlene Roberts
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, P.O.Box: 101110, Georgetown, Guyana.
Brij Bhushan Tewari *
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, P.O.Box: 101110, Georgetown, Guyana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the adsorptive interaction between metal hexacyanoferrates (II) and natural antifungals. Nickel, manganese and copper hexacyanoferrates (II) were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. The antifungal potentials of each metal hexacyanoferrate (II) at 10 mg/mL were combined with two natural antifungals: coconut (Cocos nucifera) and ochro (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaves. The ethanol and acetone extracts at 20 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, respectively have been evaluated against fungus Candida albicans. The antifungal potential was executed by the disc diffusion method. The acetone and ethanol extract of A. esculentus at 10 mg/mL paired with copper and nickel ferrocyanides, respectively were found to possess the most effective antifungal potential. Each interaction pair was also characterized by spectral studies and phytochemical analysis.
Keywords: Metal hexacyanoferrates (II), Cocos nucifera, Abelmoschus esculentus, natural antifungals, Candida albicans, disc diffusion, green drugs