This study explores the use of lactic acid bacteria from fresh salad vegetables to inhibit fungal growth. The antifungal assay was done using the agar well diffusion method as reported by Schillinger and Lucke (1989). The largest zone of inhibition (25mm) was recorded by the antagonistic activity of the isolate identified to
Lactobacillus plantarum
against
Candida albicans
ATCC 90029. No activity was recorded against
Candida parapsilosis
ATCC 22019,
C. valida
UCH 1508,
C. pseudotropicalis
UCH1408,
C. tropicalis
UCH 1308 and
Trichophyton interdigitalis
UCH1708. The cell free supernatant (CFS) of the isolate described to be
Lactobacillus brevis
was exceptional as it was the only CFS that inhibited the growth of
Epidermophyton floccosum
UCH 1908. The results show that LAB isolated from salad vegetables can inhibit some fungi pathogens by developing zones around agar well that contain LAB metabolites and can probably be a feasible option for the chemotherapy of fungal infections given the drug resistance exhibited to antifungal agents currently in use.
