Growth, Survival and Spore Formation of the Pathogenic Aquatic Oomycete Aphanomyces astaci and Fungus Fusarium avenaceum Are Inhibited by Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Bark Extracts In Vitro
Caterina Pagliarulo,
Daniela Sateriale,
Elisa Scioscia,
Nunziatina De Tommasi,
Roberta Colicchio,
Chiara Pagliuca,
Elena Scaglione,
Japo Jussila,
Jenny Makkonen,
Paola Salvatore,
Marina Paolucci
Affiliations
Caterina Pagliarulo
Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Via Port’Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Daniela Sateriale
Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Via Port’Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Elisa Scioscia
Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Via Port’Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Nunziatina De Tommasi
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Roberta Colicchio
Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Chiara Pagliuca
Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Elena Scaglione
Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Japo Jussila
Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio Campus, Finland
Jenny Makkonen
Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio Campus, Finland
Paola Salvatore
Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Marina Paolucci
Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Via Port’Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark (Zr-b) extracts against pathogenic aquatic oomycete/fungal isolates that cause different diseases in native European crayfish resulting in an elevated mortality rate and severe economic repercussions. n-hexane, chloroform, chloroform–methanol (9:1) and methanol extracts of Zr-b were used to evaluate the antifungal activity against the strain UEF88662 of Aphanomyces astaci (oomycete) and the strain SMM2 of Fusarium avenaceum (fungus). The anti-oomycete and antifungal activity was quantitatively evaluated by growth, survival and sporulation microbiological assays. The extracts tested demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on oomycete and fungal growth and survival, as well as on the production of oomycete and fungal spores. This work presents alternatives for the treatment and prevention of the spreading of Aphanomyces astaci and Fusarium avenaceum, the etiological agents of the diseases crayfish plague and brown spot disease, respectively. The antifungal properties of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark extracts warrant further research on their use in the prevention and treatment of both oomycete and fungal diseases. The antifungal properties of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark extracts, shown in vitro, indicate the possibility of their use in new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, providing perspectives for the design of in vivo studies.
