Effiong BN and Sanni A Antifungal Properties and Phytochemical Screening of Crude Extract of Lemna paucis Antifungal Properties and Phytochemical Screening of Crude Extract of Lemna pauciscostata (Helgelm) Against Fish Feed Spoilage Fungi

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of duckweed (Lemna pauciscostata) meal was tested on fungal isolates from stored pelleted fish feeds to ascertain its efficacy as an antifungal agent against feed spoilage fungi. Test organisms used were Fusarium oxysporium, Penicillium digitatum, A. niger, A.flavus, A.fumigatus, Rhizopus oryzae and .stolonifer .Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract was also conducted to determine the active ingredients in duckweed meal. Proximate nutrient composition and amino acid analysis to determine the suitability or otherwise of duckweed meal as a feed additive was also carried out. Results showed that ethanolic extracts exhibited higher antifungal properties with total growth inhibition in some test organisms than the aqueous extract. However the efficacy of the extracts against fungal growth increased with increase in concentration. Result of the phytochemical analysis of duckweed meal revealed the presence of tannins and steroids. Determination of the proximate nutrient composition and amino acid analysis also showed that duckweed meal is rich in essential nutrients. [Life Science Journal. 2009; 6(3): 19 – 22] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135)