Effect of Garlic Extract on the Growth of Aspergillus niger in Murashige and Skoog Media

Abstract

Plant tissue culture is one of the most used plant propagation techniques. But this technique is prone to contamination, with one of the contamination agents being fungi. One of the fungal contaminants is Aspergillus niger. This study aimed to test the ability of garlic (Allium sativum) extract as Aspergillus niger growth inhibitor in Murashige and Skoog media as media of plant tissue culture. This study was conducted with completely randomized design with one factor, which is the concentration of garlic extract, and 3 repetitions. Test of antifungal activity conducted with solid dilution technique. Concentrations of garlic extract used are 25%, 50%, and 75%. 1 ml of 10% DMSO was used as the negative control, while 1 ml of 96% ethanol was used as the positive control. The observation was conducted on the 7^th day of room temperature incubation. The observed parameter is fungal growth inhibition shown in the form of colony diameter growth. Study results showed that the increase of garlic extract concentration results in the shrinking of colony diameter average. The most effective concentration of garlic extract in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus niger is 75%. This is shown in the form of inhibition percentage of 46.15% and colony diameter of 23.33 ± 0.76 mm. It can be concluded that garlic extract inhibits the growth of Aspergillus niger in Murashige and Skoog media.