The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was determined as previously
described (Magwa et al., 2006). Briefly, a medium composed
of technical agar, beta-carotene (sigma) and linoleic acid
(sigma) was prepared and poured in petri dishes and kept in the
dark. After the medium has set, holes (4 mm diameter) were
punched using a borer and the oil (25 l) was transferred into the
holes and the petri dishes were then incubated at 45oC for 4 h. A
zone of colour retention around the hole following incubation noted
essential oils with antioxidant properties. The zone diameter was
measured using vernier calipers after the oil has been withdrawn
from the hole. Absolute alcohol was used as a negative control and
the ascorbic acid (10 mg/ml) was used as a positive control.
was crashed and dissolved in 10 ml of absolute alcohol. 100 μl of
this nystatin solution was added into the positive control flasks. The
flasks were incubated at room temperature and shaken occasionally
for 7 days. After 7 days the fungal hyphae was collected
and filtered on pre-weighed and dried filter papers. The fungi were
washed three times with distilled water and then dried at 60°C
overnight. The dried filter paper with hyphae was then weighed and
the percentage inhibition of fungal growth found using the following formula: Percentage inhibition = [(C- T)/C] x 100; Where C is the
mean dry weight of hyphae from the control flasks, T is the mean
dry weight of hyphae from the test flasks. 4 standard fungal strains
were used for antifungal testing namely, Candida albicans,
Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum notatum.