Isolation of antifungal compounds from someZygophyllum species and their bioassay against two soil-borne plant pathogens

Roots and aerial shoots ofZygophyllum coccineum L.,Z. album L. andZ. dumosum Boiss were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and tested against spore germination ofVerticellium albo-atrum andFusarium oxysporum f.sp.lycopersici. The effectiveness of each extract depends on the solvent, plant species, organ and test fungus. Petroleum ether extracts were ineffective as fungistatics while the methanol extracts possessed a high inhibitory effect toward spore germination suppression, depending on the fungus and plant species. Water or ethyl acetate root extracts ofZ. album caused a marked suppression of spore germination of the test fungi. Six saponins were isolated from the effective extracts on silica gel and Sephadex columns. They were identified by acid hydrolysis, alkaline saponification, IR and FAB MS. Quinovic acid was the dominant aglycone. Kaempferol was isolated from the flavonoid fraction ofZ. dumosum for the first time. Some of the isolated saponins and kaempferol provided successful control against the test plant pathogens under greenhouse experiment when used as seed treatment.     

Antifungal activity of some plant extracts on some pathogenic fungi

The inhibitory activity of five plant extracts viz. Artemisia absinthium L., Rumex obtusifolius L., Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers, Plantago lanceolata L. and Malva sylvestris L. were evaluated against the mycelial growth of three fungi Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Penicillium expansum Link ex Thom. and Mucor piriformis Fisher that cause rot diseases in fruits and vegetables resulting in low yield and quality of fruits and vegetables. Results revealed that all the concentrations of plant extracts brought about significant inhibition in the mycelial growth of these pathogenic fungi. However, the highest concentration caused maximum inhibition in the mycelial growth followed by lower concentrations of plant extracts. The extract of A. absinthium leaves at highest concentration (S) proved highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all these pathogenic fungi followed by other plant extracts. These plants thus may have potential as the new natural fungicide for management of fungal rot diseases.     

In vitro kinetics and antifungal activity of various extracts of Terminalia chebula seeds against plant pathogenic fungi

The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of various seed extracts of Terminalia chebula as an antifungal potential against certain important plant pathogenic fungi. The organic extracts of methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform at the used concentration of 1500 ppm/disc revealed remarkable antifungal effect as a fungal mycelial growth inhibitor against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea, in the range of 41.6–61.3%, along with MIC values ranging from 62.5 to 500 μg/ml. Also, the extracts had a strong detrimental effect on spore germination of all the tested plant pathogens along with concentration as well as time-dependent kinetic inhibition of B. cinerea. The results obtained from this study suggest that the natural products derived from Terminalia chebula could become an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling such important plant pathogenic fungi.     

Antifungal activity of herbal extracts against plant pathogenic fungi

The present study was designed to evaluate in vitro antifungal activity of herbal extracts against three plant pathogenic fungi (viz. Rhizopus stolonifer, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum coccodes). Extracts of leaves and rinds of Garcinia indica, rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica, roots of Glycyrrhiza gahliae, leaves of Nyctanthes arbour-tristis and seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica were used for screening. Screening was done using poisoned food technique. Relatively potent extracts were shortlisted from this study and were further assayed to find out their minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). From the above studies, it was observed that ethyl acetate extract of rhizomes of C. aromatica and unripe fruit rinds of G. indica have shown the lowest MFC values amongst the other tested plant extracts. This study indicates that the potential of these plant extracts in the management of diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi.     

Antifungal activity of alkyl gallates against plant pathogenic fungi

The antifungal activity of alkyl gallates against plant pathogenic fungi was evaluated. All of the fungi tested in this study were susceptible to some alkyl gallates, and the effect of linear alkyl gallates against plant pathogenic fungi was similar to the previously reported effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. We found that branched alkyl gallates showed stronger activity than did linear alkyl gallates with similar log P values. In addition, the antifungal activity of alkyl gallates was correlated with gallate-induced inhibition of the activity of mitochondrial complex II. The antifungal activity of alkyl gallates likely originates, at least in part, from their ability to inhibit the membrane respiratory chain.     

Antifungal activity of phytochemicals from Eucalyptus hybrid leaves against some plant pathogenic and wood decay fungi

The in vitro fungitoxicity of the essential oil (EO), crude extracts, dried fractions and ursolic acid (UA) isolated from the abundantly available and underutilised leaves of Eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus camaldulensis × Eucalyptus tereticornis) was assessed against three plant pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani and Ganoderma lucidum causing pathogenesis in seeds, seedlings and trees, respectively, and Trametes versicolor and Pycnoporous sanguineus making wood to decay. The EO, methanol extract and UA demonstrated varied antifungal activity against all the fungi with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3.0%. The results of the study demonstrate a new chemical utilisation approach of the leaves of Eucalyptus hybrid towards the development of biofungicides in the management of above fungi of common occurrence in Indian forestry.     

Isolation, identification and antifungal susceptibility of lemon pathogenic and non pathogenic fungi

Numerous species of filamentous fungi were isolated from lemon on different plantations in the province of Tucuman, Argentina. The techniques suggested by the Subcommittee of Antifungal Susceptibility of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, (USA) were adapted. The effect of three different concentrations of the fungicides imazalil, guazatine, SOPP and thiabendazole on the fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus clavatus, Geotrichum candidum, Rhizopus sp, Penicillium sp, Penicillium digitatum and Mucor sp were studied. All the tested strains were resistant to thiabendazole. We assayed a mixture of SOPP (5%), guazatine (350 ppm) and imazalil (100 ppm), which showed a synergic effect on Rhizopus sp. Mucor sp was the only fungus resistant to the four fungicides tested as well as to the above mentioned mixture.     

Antimicrobial activity of a porcine myeloperoxidase against plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Porcine myeloperoxidase was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results indicated that the enzyme, in the presence of a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, was effective against a broad spectrum of plant pathogens. The growth of seven bacterial species, including nine pathovars, from the genera Erwinia , Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas , was significantly inhibited by the enzyme at a concentration as low as 0·4 U ml⁻¹, while 4·0 U ml⁻¹ was lethal to all plant pathogenic bacteria examined. Myeloperoxidase, at 40 U ml⁻¹, was lethal to germinating spores from three isolates of the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium solani and two isolates from each of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. malvarum . The enzyme's antifungal effects on the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea were studied both in vitro and on host plants. The enzyme significantly inhibited spore germination of two isolates of M. grisea races IC17 and IB49 at concentrations over 16 U ml⁻¹, and disintegration of fungal spore walls was caused by 80 U ml⁻¹. The enzyme was even more effective in reducing disease incidence of blast on young rice plants treated with 0·5 U ml⁻¹, while 2·5 U ml⁻¹ resulted in complete inhibition of infection. These results support and further extend the suggestion that myeloperoxidase could be used as a broad-spectrum biocontrol agent or as a transgenically expressed protein to combat diseases caused by plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi.     

Antagonistic activity of Rhizobium spp. against beneficial and plant pathogenic fungi

Six different Rhizobium strains were tested for their antagonistic activities against 10 isolates of fungi. Their abilities to inhibit the growth of fungal isolates varied tremendously. Rhizobium legurninosnrum biovar phaseoli 6-3 showed the highest antagonistic activity which significantly reduced the mycelium dried weights of all the fungal isolates tested. This suggests that care should be taken when Rhizobium and fungal biocontrol agents are to be used together.     

Essential oil composition of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots and its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi

This study reports the results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses of the essential oil of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots, as well as its in vitro antifungal activity against 10 plant pathogenic fungi. Moreover, the essential oil was evaluated for its antifungal activity using the agar dilution method, and also minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined. The major compounds identified by GC–MS were α-pinene (21.3%), δ-3-carene (16.5%), limonene (16.4%), and α-phellandrene (8.7%). The oil showed in vitro antifungal activity against some species of the Fusarium genus, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria solani. Our study indicates that the oil of A. archangelica could be used as a control agent for plant pathogenic fungi in natural formulations.     

Antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi of chaetoviridins isolated from Chaetomium globosum

The Chaetomium globosum strain F0142, which was isolated from barnyard grass, showed potent disease control efficacy against rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita). Two antifungal substances were purified from broth from this organism and identified as chaetoviridins A and B. Chaetoviridin A exhibited higher antifungal activity than chaetoviridin B against plant pathogenic fungi both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with chaetoviridin A at 62.5 microg/mL suppressed the development of rice blast and wheat leaf rust by over 80%. The molecule also exhibited moderate control of tomato late blight, resulting in 50% control following the application of 125 microg/mL chaetoviridin A.     

In vitro antifungal activity of chitinolytic enzymes produced by bio-agents against root rot pathogenic fungi

A study was carried out using simple laboratory techniques to examine the influence of the antagonistic isolates of Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillius subtilis and Pseudomons flourescence and their culture filtrates on selected soil-borne root rot pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani. Testing procedures were standardised using two different methods. The experiments were based on the principle of dual culture and agar diffusion techniques. The experiment involved the recording of the percentage of reduction in growth and inhibition zones formed by various filtrates of antagonistic culture growth. The results showed that the antagonists tested had the ability to reduce the linear growth of fungal pathogens. Also, the cultures filtrates of antagonists had antifungal activities by forming inhibition zones. Culture filtrates have shown a strong clear inhibition zone which increases in diameter as the incubation period of antagonists increases. This observation was related to the increase in the activity of chitinolytic enzymes as secondary metabolic compounds produced in growth media by prolonging the period of incubation. The study has proved that such enzymes can be effectively used for suppression of soil-borne pathogens and that it can evolve as a potential biocide.     

Antifungal activity of a novel compound from Burkholderia cepacia against plant pathogenic fungi

AIMS: To investigate antifungal activity of a novel compound (named as CF66I provisionally) against plant pathogenic fungi, mainly including Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Rhizoctonia solani, etc. METHODS AND RESULTS: Minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of CF66I for each fungi were determined using serial broth dilution method. The data demonstrated MIC ranged from 2.5 to 20.0 microg ml(-1) and MFC were shown at levels of < or =7.5 microg ml(-1) except Fusarium sp. With reverse microscopy, profound morphological alterations of fungal cells were observed after exposure to CF66I. Conidiospores were completely inhibited, and protoplasm aggregated to form chalamydospores because of the changes of cell permeability. Some chalamydospores were broken, suggesting the compound probably possessed strong ability of damaging the cell wall. In addition, CF66I was investigated for its antifungal stability against Curvularia lunata. The results showed CF66I kept strong fungi-static activity over-wide pH range (pH 4-9) and temperature range (from -70 to 120 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: The compound CF66I exhibited strong and stable broad-spectrum antifungal activity, and had a significant fungicidal effect on fungal cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results from prebiocontrol evaluations performed to date are probably useful in the search for alternative approaches to controlling serious plant pathogens.     

Isolation and characterization of Bacillus sp. producing broad-spectrum antibiotics against human and plant pathogenic fungi

A strain of bacterium producing antifungal antibiotic was isolated and identification of the strain was attempted. We could identify the bacterium as being a Bacillus sp., based on morphological observation, physiological characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, thus leading us to designate the strain as Bacillus sp. AH-E-1. The strain showed potent antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi by inducing mycelial distortion and swelling and inhibiting spore germination. The antibiotic metabolite produced by the strain demonstrated excellent thermal and pH (2-11) stability, but was labile to autoclaving. From these results, we could find a broader antifungal activity of Bacillus genus. Isolation and characterization of the active agent produced by the strain are under progress.     

Effect of Mannich bases on some plant pathogenic fungi

3-(2-Pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin, 1-piperidinomethyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin, and 1-acetyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin affect spore germination ofAlternaria alternata, A. carthemi, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cieri andF. udum and influence the development of powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) on pea under glasshouse condition as well as conidial germination ofE. pisi on excised pea leaves. Spore germination was inhibited in the sequence 1-acetyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin > 1-piperidinomethyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin > 3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin followed the order accordingly. The powdery mildew development and conidial germination ofE. pisi 1-piperidinomethyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin > 1-acetyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin > 3-(2-pyridyl)-3-iminoisatin. The chemicals were compared with commonly used antifungal fungicides.     

Characterization and antimicrobial activity of water-soluble N-(4-carboxybutyroyl) chitosans against some plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Water-soluble N-(4-carboxybutyroyl) chitosan derivatives with different degrees of substitution (DS) were synthesized to enhance the antimicrobial activity of chitosan molecule against plant pathogens. Chitosan in a solution of 2% aqueous acetic acid-methanol (1:1, v/v) was reacted with 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 1 mol of glutaric anhydride to give N-(4-carboxybutyroyl) chitosans at DS of 0.10, 0.25, 0.48 and 0.53, respectively. The chemical structures and DS were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, which showed that the acylate reaction took place at the N-position of chitosan. The synthesized derivatives were more soluble than the native chitosan in water and in dilute aqueous acetic acid and sodium hydroxide solutions. The antimicrobial activity was in vitro investigated against the most economic plant pathogenic bacteria of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Erwinia carotovora and fungi of Botrytis cinerea, Pythium debaryanum and Rhizoctonia solani. The antimicrobial activity of N-(4-carboxybutyroyl) chitosans was strengthened than the un-modified chitosan with the increase of the DS. A compound of DS 0.53 was the most active one with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 725 and 800 mg/L against E. carotovora and A. tumefaciens, respectively and also in mycelial growth inhibiation against B. cinerea (EC₅₀ = 899 mg/L), P. debaryanum (EC₅₀ = 467 mg/L) and R. solani (EC₅₀ = 1413 mg/L).     

山芝麻提取物对10种植物病原真菌的抑菌活性初探

该文采用菌丝生长速率法,研究了山芝麻根、茎和叶不同溶剂萃取物在1.5 mg·mL^-1浓度下对10种植物病原真菌菌丝生长的抑制活性,用孢子萌发法测试了山芝麻根石油醚相和乙酸乙酯相萃取物对香蕉炭疽病菌分生孢子萌发的抑制作用,用离体法测试了山芝麻根石油醚相和乙酸乙酯相萃取物对香蕉炭疽病的防治效果,并通过气相与质谱联用技术(Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer,GC-MS)分析了山芝麻根石油醚相和乙酸乙酯相萃取物的主要成分,测试了其中8种主要化合物对香蕉炭疽病菌菌丝生长的抑制活性。结果表明:山芝麻各部分萃取相对10种植物病原真菌菌丝生长均具有不同程度的抑制作用。其中:在1.5 mg·mL^-1浓度下,山芝麻根石油醚相和乙酸乙酯相萃取物对香蕉炭疽病菌菌丝生长的抑制率分别为87.00%和86.14%,其EC50分别为0.062 mg·mL^-1和0.052 mg·mL^-1;浓度在2、4、8 mg·mL^-1时,山芝麻根石油醚相和乙酸乙酯相萃取物对香蕉炭疽病菌分...     

硝酸咪康唑和克霉唑对临床常见分离真菌的体外抗真菌活性研究

硝酸咪康唑（Miconazole）和克霉唑（Clotrimazole）均属于咪唑类抗真菌药物,多年来广泛外用治疗皮肤癣菌病、皮肤和黏膜念珠菌病。为了解硝酸咪康唑和克霉唑对临床常见分离真菌的体外抗真菌活性,