Abstract:
Platycerium bifurcatum or commonly known as the deer antler ferns belongs to the
Polypodiaceae family. In nature, P. bifurcatum grows attached to large trees, rubber
plantations and teak forests. This fern usually grows in clumps and has a rhizome root
covered with supporting leaves and has a thick leaf base and fertile leaves hanging
down in the shape of a deer antler. This study aims to isolate and to determine its
antifungal activity using the microdilution method using C. albicans species. The
isolation was carried out using the maceration method with methanol solvent and
partitioned using n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The results of the
antifungal activity on the P. bifurcatum fern extract using the microdilution method
showed that all extracts namely n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water had
fungistatic potential with a MIC value of 250 ppm.
