[01] Nwafor Helen Chisom, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. [02] Orji Michael Uchenna, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. [03] Okafor Ugochukwu Chukwuma, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. [04] Anyaegbunam Bede Chike, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Water-based paint spoilage is caused by actions of some microorganism, resulting in the deterioration of paint quality and coating integrity. This research work focused on water-based paint spoilage molds, and the use of Ocimum gratissimum in the control of spoilage molds of water-based paint. Twenty paint samples were examined microbially and physicochemically. pH, Specific gravity and viscosity were the physicochemical parameters assessed in the research. In addition the phytoconstituents of O. gratissimum were analysed, and the extract was incoroporated into paints for further antifungal studies. The fungal isolates from the paint samples were identified further using wet mount method (lactophenol cotton blue staining), slide culture test, and ITS inter-specific region sequencing using 17SrDNA sequencing. Four different paint samples were divided into groups A, B, C and D. These were monitored for a period of four months for physicochemical changes, microbial changes, colour shift, odour and their fungal counts were monitored by plating on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar. The molecular identification revealed the fungi to be Cladosporium tenuissimum, Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tamari, with C. tenuissimum giving the highest occurrence of 55%. Antifungal activity of O. gratissimum methanolic extract against C. tenuissimum gave a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50mg/ml and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 200mg/ml with nystatin (22.4) as standard. The phytoconstituents of the plant extract were flavonoids, tannins, alkaloid, saponin, steroid and terpenoids. Incorporation of the extract in water-based paint contaminated with C. tenuissimum, revealed that the extract was able to control the growth of the fungi. This research work showed that O. gratissimum has the potential to be used as a natural biocide in paint production.

Paints, Ocimum gratissimum, Antifungal Activity, Biocides, Spoilage Molds

[01] Obidi, O. F., Aboaba, O. O., Makanjuola, M. S. and Nwachukwu, S. C. U. (2009). Microbial Evaluation and Deterioration of Paints and Paint-products. Journal of Environmental Biology, 30 (5): 835-840. [02] Waide, J. M. (1983). Raw Materials and their Usage; Oil and Colour. Surface Coatings, 1: 1-19. [03] Kairalla, R. B., Ferraciolli, A. C. and Alfinito Filho, C. (1993) Additives for Preservation, Paint and Varnish Science and Technology, Pp 34-277. [04] Rees, R. (2001). New Generation Isothiazolone Biocides: A result of Responsible Vision for the Future Advancement of the Biocide and Surface Coatings Industries. Proceedings of 7^th International Paint Congress. [05] Arhoghro, E. M., Ekpo, K. E. and Ibeh, G. O. (2009). Effect of Aqueous Extract of Scent leaf on Carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄) Induced Liver Damage in Albino Wister Rats. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 3 (11): 562-567. [06] Didiugwu, C. M., Chukwura, E. I., George-Okafor, U. O. and Ojiagu, K. D. (2016). The Efficacy of Parmetol DF 19 as a Paint Fungicide. International Journal of Scientific and Allied Research, 3 (2): 94-103. [07] Fermer, D. J. (2001). Toxicity and Heavy Metals. Medical Journal 2 (5): 1-5. [08] Nwachukwu, S. C. U. and Akpata, T. V. I. (2003). Isolation of Microorganisms by Spread plate Technique University of lagos Press, Lagos, pp: 3-6. [09] James, R., Malcolm, K., Dariel, B., and Joanna, V. (2014). Using Soxhlet Ethanol Extraction to Produce and Test Plant Materials (Essential oils) for the Antimicrbial Properties. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 15 (1): 45-46. [10] Trueby, P. (2003). Impact of Heavy Metals on Forest Trees from Minning Areas. Article Presented in International Conference on Minning and the Environment III, Ontario, Canada. [11] Adewole, E. (2014). Proximate and Phytochemical Constituents of Ocimumgratissimum. Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences 1 (1): 1-3. [12] Barros, L., Ferreira, M. J., Queiros, B., Ferreira, I. C. and Batista, P. (2007). Total Phenols, Ascorbic Acid, Carotene and Lycopene in Portuguese Wild Edible Mushrooms and their Antioxidant Activities. Food Chemistry 103 (1): 314-419. [13] Gayathri, P. K., Indumathi, C. and Durgaderi, G. (2014). Estimation of Terpenoid Content and its Antimicrobial Property in Enicostermalittorale. International Journal of Chemistry and Technological Research 6 (9): 4264-4267. [14] Perez, C., Pauli, M., Bazevque, P. (1990). An Antibiotic Assay by the Agar Well Diffusion Method. Acta Biological et Medicine Experimentalis, 15: 113-115. [15] Oforkansi, K. C., Adikwu, M. V., Esimone, C. O. and Nwodo, K. M. (2003). Antibacterial Actiuvity of the leaf Extract of Ocimum gratissimum. Journal of Biological Research and Biotechnology, 1 (1): 35-42. [16] Bayer, G. T., and Zamanzadeh, M., (2004). Failure analysis of paints and coating. Journal of environmental biology, 4 (2): 1-18. [17] Scott, B. (2014). The Development of High Performance Paint Film Biocides www.android.htmlfileprovider/magazinefiles.com, accessed on June 2, 2018. [18] Olufemi, O. L., Kolawole, M. O. and Ayedun, J. S. (2013). Isolation and Characterization of Fungi Associated with in-can Degradation of Paints. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3 (12): 142-146. [19] Rosa, L. F., Giese, C. E., Dekker, R. F. H., Pelayo, J. S. and Barbosa, A. M. (2008). Microbiological Contamination of Water-based Paints from an Industry in the State of Parana. Brazil Journal of Environmental Science, 29 (1): 85-92.