A review on the antimicrobial properties of Auricularia auricula-judae (bull)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is life threatening and a major global health challenge. The resistance of microorganisms to wide range of available antimicrobial agents is growing exponentially hence it quest for search of novel naturally occurring bioactive compounds that are safer, cheaper and readily available. Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull) is a naturally occurring nontoxic culinary medicinal mushroom that has antimicrobial properties. This review paper delved into several literary works on the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of A. auricular-judae. Bioactive compound from A. auricular-judae compounds are tested using varieties of methods such as colometric bioassay, optical density, micro dilution, dual culture, agar well diffusion and disc diffusion methods were captured. A. auricula-judae contain diverse bioactive compounds such as amino acids, nucleosides, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, cyanide, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenoids. A. auricula-judae is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral potency at different minimum inhibitory concentrations. The antimicrobial potency of A. auricula-judae covers a wide range of bacteria and fungi and even multi drug resistant pathogens. The antimicrobial properties of A. auricula-judae is affected by some factors which includes; nature of the tests microorganisms, nature of solvent for extraction, pH, time and the method used during testing. Methanol and chloroform extract of A. auricula-judae usually have a fewer bioactive compounds and tend to have lower antimicrobial activity. This review is a contribution to the advancement of knowledge providing baseline information on the possible employment of Auricularia
auricula – judae as raw materials in food and pharmaceutical industries.