Comparative Analysis of Some Selected Natural Remedies on Dandruff Associated with Malassezia globosa

Abstract

A comparative analysis was carried out on the levels of effectiveness of some selected natural remedies in inhibiting the growth of Malassezia globosa associated with dandruff. The natural remedies used in this research include; Potash, Neem leaves and Cloves. Scalp samples (Hair flakes) were collected from infected individuals with dandruff. Agar incorporation method was employed to test the efficacies of the three selected natural remedies against the growth of Malassezia globosa.,Three (3) species of Malassezia were obtained, these include; Malassezia globosa, Malassezia restricta and Malassezia furfur. Eleven (11) samples with 55% frequency of occurrence were positive for Malassezia globosa, five (5) samples with the percentage frequency of occurrence of (25%) were found to be positive for Malassezia furfur and 4 samples with the percentage frequency of occurrence of (20%) were found to be positive for Malassezia restricta. Catalase enzyme differential test between Malassezia globosa, Malassezia furfur and Malassezia restricta revealed catalase positive results with 11(55%) samples of Malassezia globosa and negative results with Malassezia furfur and Malassezia restricta. Potash was the most effective natural remedy in inhibiting the growth of Malassezia globosa than neem leaves and cloves extracts.