Literature Review
Fungi are a kingdom mainly known for its adverse effects they have on both plants and animals. Although these effects may not have fatal effects but it still does create health problems for many of us. Fungus can cause serious medical problems for animals and even humans. It infects the human body both externally (skin diseases) and internally (organ infection). To recover fully, a long term medication is needed which is both expensive and time consuming. Fungus is also the main reason for the decaying of food. They grow and feed on the nutrients in food. As the fungus can cause diseases within humans, they are not to be taken into the body. Thus, the food becomes wasted.
Aspergillus niger is a mould that is found on organic matter (Harman, 2009). In addition, it also affects humans. This happens when fungal spores enter the human body via inhalation (Harman, 2009). Aspergillus niger has been known to cause lung infection in humans when inhaled into the human body.
Capsaicin is an organic chemical that can be found in several vegetables and fruits such as capsicum and chilli. It is the substance that gives these plants their spicy and pungent taste and the substance that produces a burning sensation in any organic tissue it comes in contact with. It has a molecular formula C18H27NO3. Pure capsaicin is a hydrophobic, colourless, odourless, and crystalline to waxy compound.
There has been growing research studies that show that capsaicin exhibit anti-fungal properties. It has been proven that it can inhibit the growth of the fungal strains, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme (Ngai and Ng, 2006). In addition it also displays anti-fungal properties against two common wood-discolouring fungi, Sphaeropsis sapinea and Leptographium procerum (Singh, 2008).
Research on barley seeds have also been done to prove that it has anti-fungal properties. Case studies have shown that barley exhibit anti-fungal activity and inhibit the mycelial growth of some species of Trichoderma and Fusarium in vitro.
Spring onion is a plant which little or no research has proven that it has anti-fungal properties. Rather, much research has proven that it has anti-bacterial properties. On the other hand, garlic, a plant also under the same genus, Allium, has been greatly researched into and is proven to exhibit anti-fungal properties.
Aspergillus niger is a mould that is found on organic matter (Harman, 2009). In addition, it also affects humans. This happens when fungal spores enter the human body via inhalation (Harman, 2009). Aspergillus niger has been known to cause lung infection in humans when inhaled into the human body.
Capsaicin is an organic chemical that can be found in several vegetables and fruits such as capsicum and chilli. It is the substance that gives these plants their spicy and pungent taste and the substance that produces a burning sensation in any organic tissue it comes in contact with. It has a molecular formula C18H27NO3. Pure capsaicin is a hydrophobic, colourless, odourless, and crystalline to waxy compound.
There has been growing research studies that show that capsaicin exhibit anti-fungal properties. It has been proven that it can inhibit the growth of the fungal strains, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme (Ngai and Ng, 2006). In addition it also displays anti-fungal properties against two common wood-discolouring fungi, Sphaeropsis sapinea and Leptographium procerum (Singh, 2008).
Research on barley seeds have also been done to prove that it has anti-fungal properties. Case studies have shown that barley exhibit anti-fungal activity and inhibit the mycelial growth of some species of Trichoderma and Fusarium in vitro.
Spring onion is a plant which little or no research has proven that it has anti-fungal properties. Rather, much research has proven that it has anti-bacterial properties. On the other hand, garlic, a plant also under the same genus, Allium, has been greatly researched into and is proven to exhibit anti-fungal properties.
