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Abstract

Background: The high cost of microbiological culture media is a significant economic burden for diagnostic laboratories. This study aims to evaluate the potential of plant-based extracts as low-cost alternatives to expensive conventional media for growing, isolating, and screening dermatophyte enzyme activity.
Methods: Extracts from indigenous medicinal/edible plants were used to prepare media for growing Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. Growth and enzyme activity were assessed and compared with conventional Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (SDA).
Results: Dermatophyte species showed reproducible growth on various concentrations of general plant extracts (GPx), with optimal results when sugarcane peel extract (SPx) was added as an additional carbon source. Maximum growth of T. mentagrophytes (85 mm) and M. gypseum (55 mm) occurred on GPx+SPx media within 7 days, compared to 14 days on SDA. Combinations of chicken feather extract (CHFx) or orange lentil extract (OLx) with GPx+SPx also enhanced fungal growth. No lipase, phospholipase, or gelatinase activity was observed on any media. However, gelatin liquefaction occurred when GPx was combined with SPx and OLx as the nitrogen source. Hemolysis was observed with M. gypseum at 37°C, whereas neither fungal species demonstrated enzymatic activity in conventional media.
Conclusion: Plant extract-based media offer a viable alternative to commercially available culture media for dermatophyte growth and screening, providing a cost-effective solution for diagnostic laboratories.