Hevea brasiliensis
extract could potentially be employed as a relatively
low cost resource for various anti-fungal
activities due to the simplicity of latex preparation
and the abundance of latex that can be obtained
in rubber producing regions. The present
study was aimed at examining the species specific
anti-fungal property of H. brasilensis latex
C-serum against Aspergillus niger.
Results: The results showed that the latex Cserum
exerted a specific antifungal activity
against Aspergillus niger, but not Candida albicans.
Low toxicity of the C-serum was demonstrated
in Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT)
with an LC50 value of 98.4 mg/ml.
Conclusions: Pending further more elaborated
investigations, H. brasiliensis latex C-serum, with
its species specific anti-fungal and cancer-origin
cell line specific anti-proliferation properties,
would probably contribute in healthcare in addition
to its traditional role in polymer industry.