Crude extracts and semi-purified fractions (F5, F6) from the Mediterranean sea
cucumber, Holothuria polii, collected from the bay of Tabarka (Tunisia coast) were evaluated
for their antifungal activity against filamentous fungi and yeast. The activity was determined in
vitro, using the well diffusion test in the casitone agar medium. Both the aqueous and the
methanolic extracts were found to produce, in a concentration-related manner (600—1500 mg/
well) a significant antifungal activity. The semi-purified fractions (F5, F6) of both extracts
exhibited also a significant antifungal activity in a concentration-related manner (150—300 mg/
well). The strains of Aspergillus fumigatus were more susceptible to these extracts and derived
fractions, while those of Trichophyton rubrum were found to be less susceptible. No activity was
observed against strains of Candida albicans. These findings suggest that the polar active
fractions (F5, F6) obtained from aqueous and methanolic extracts could contain a new antifungal
compound(s). The purification and the determination of chemical structure of compound(s) of
these active fractions are under investigation.
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