Phytochemical analysis and antifungal effect of extracted cinnamaldehyde against some fungal species

This study focused on the extraction of cinnamaldehyde, a key bioactive compound, from cinnamon bark using the Soxhlet extraction method, followed by steam distillation and a three-stage solvent extraction process. The Soxhlet extraction method efficiently extracted various phytochemicals from the cinnamon bark, including aldehydes, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, resins, and phenols. The isolation of cinnamaldehyde was achieved through steam distillation, a technique known for its ability to selectively extract essential oils. The identification of cinnamaldehyde was confirmed through Schiff's test, which showed a positive reaction for aldehydes, and UV spectrophotometry, where cinnamaldehyde exhibited a maximum absorption at 286 nm. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a high degree of precision, with a coefficient of determination (r²) of 0.9999, indicating the reliability and reproducibility of the measurement. The extracted cinnamaldehyde was further evaluated for its antifungal activity using the agar well diffusion method against two common fungal strains, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The results showed substantial antifungal activity, with inhibition zones of 4.01 mm and 3.12 mm, respectively, which were comparable to the standard fluconazole. These findings suggest that cinnamaldehyde possesses significant antifungal properties, particularly against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.