Anti-Fungal Activity of various concentration of sodium chloride on infected batagur affinis

Batagur affinis is a fresh water terrapin and are distributed throughout and live at South Eastern Asia. The Batagur affinis belongs to the order testudines/chelonians which reptile that has shell. This species is found in large river in Perak, Terengganu and Bukit Pinang. The population of this species has declined and river terrapin is currently listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. Due to the declining of this species population, DWNP has established four Terrapin Conservation Centers in Malaysia such as Linggi, Bota Kanan, Bukit Pinang and Kuala Berang. There are many factors that lead to extinction of this species such as poaching, habitat destruction, pollution, diseases etc. Diseases are one of the important factors that caused the death of the river terrapin. There are few external diseases such as fungal infection and shell diseases. A study was carried out on the anti-fungal activities of various concentration of sodium chloride on infected Batagur affinis. Sampling was done in Wildlife Conservation Center Perak (Terrapin). For this experiment, few spot of fungi on the body of the terrapin were swabbed. We examine and observe the fungi growth on petri dish with potato dextrose medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. It has been observe the growth of fungi after 24 hours. A control petri dish with the sample infected fungi also been observe in 72 hours. After the fungi are growth„ the fungi are transfer into potato dextrose agar. A paper disc (6mm) saturated with different concentration of sodium chloride are placed on the top of the growing fungi. A clear ring was appearing around the disc in 24, 48, and 72 hours. This ring is called ring of inhibition and was measured in mm to see how wide it is. Concentration OM and 0.5M of sodium chloride did not show any ring. The concentration 1.5M show ring of inhibition sized 6.5mm. The highest size of zone of inhibition was 7.25mm. The most suitable and effective concentration of sodium chloride in order to kill the fungus and make the terrapin live in the water is 2.0M of sodium chloride. This concentration is the optimum value, not too high and not too low in salinity.