Evaluation of Chhattisgarh isolates of nematode trapping fungi for their short term environmental impact: Studies on mycostasis benzimidazole compounds

Albendazole anthelmintic displayed antimycotic effect on the nematode-trapping fungi when in vitro studies were conducted. Duddingtonia flagrans appeared to be more sensitive to albendazole compared to Arthrobotrys oligospora. In fact, growth of A. oligospora was more vigorous at 0.5 ppm concentration of albendazole compared to controls. The fungicidal effect could also be demonstrated through in vivo studies where total mycostatic effect could be demonstrated in goats, when albendazole sulphoxide metabolite concentration in blood was around 0.6 μg ml−1 (4–12 h post-administration of albendazole). Profuse fungal recovery could be obtained for the first two days before administration of albendazole and from 36 h of albendazole treatment onwards. While no fungus could be recovered from the faeces of animals during 4–12 h of albendazole administration, scanty fungal recovery could be made on hour 2, 18 and 24 of albendazole administration. These experiments provided evidence that both chemical and biological control should not be used simultaneously during integrated management of parasitic gastroenteritis in livestock.