Isolation, Characterization and Antifungal Behavior of Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid Fractions from Biowaste Derived Vermiproducts

Abstract

Humic substances are widespread in the world and are formed from the plant and animal leftovers in the habitat when they are decomposed. The particular stuffs include three major combinations like humin, humic and fulvic acid. There are absolutely some reports available regarding the fungicidal activity of humic constituents. The objective of this study was humic materials determination and isolation from organic wastes and vermicompost deroved using the earthworm Perionyx excavatus for use to strength about the antifungal activity against the human fungal pathogen Candida species. Characterization of the fulvic and humic substances were done by various methods, including, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. According to the characterization results, it was observed that humic acid has a structure of honeycomb with fragments and flakes attached to the surface on it. The fractions also have a distinctive physical appearance of lumpy and close-grained. SEM and XRD analysis revealed that certain crystal forms occur in all humic and fulvic acid samples. The absorbances of peak between 250–500 nm have attributed significance nature of the humic acid. Further, total hydroxyls, amines, alkyl, alcoholic contents and acidic functional groups were determined. The growth of fungal Candida species was mainly affected by humic and fulvic acid and can reduce the usage of chemical drug that has several side effects. The earthworm plays major role in breakdown of organic substances to form humic substances, which is present in the vermicompost, vermicast and vermiwash. So, the approach of humic and fulvic acid taken from the vermiproduct is used to treat against the human fungal pathogen Candida species.