Antifungal and anti-cellulases activity of Limoniastrum feei extracts to promote Bayoud disease treatment using bioautography

Abstract

In this study, Limoniastrum feei extracts were evaluated for management of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa) through antifungal tests and cellulases inhibition (cellulases are cell wall degrading enzymes “CWDE”). Antifungal activity evaluation was realized by direct bioautography. Cellulases inhibition test was realized by contact bioautography. In addition, a phytochemical screening has been done for these extracts on TLC plates (extraction with solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and methanol). Phytochemical screening was intended to know which metabolite is responsible for the antifungal activity through correlation with antifungal and anti-cellulases effect. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, and alkaloids in these extracts. The different extracts showed high variability in their phenolic and flavonoids contents as well as antifungal capacity, as the case of ethyl acetate extract. Detection of inhibition zones was revealed with ethanolic Gram’s iodine. Inhibition zones were determined as dark brown spots. The results of enzymatic activity -by contact bioautography technique-showed that certain extracts of L. feei present a significant effect on cellulases of Foa. The best effect was presented by methanolic extract of aerial part (inhibition zone diameter in chromatogram is higher than 2 mm). Best antifungal effect was presented by compounds with high probability to be phenolic compounds.

Keywords

• limoniastrum feei
• antifungal activity
• fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis
• cellulases
• bioautography