Antifungal activity of Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn. extracts against phytopathogen fungi from maize

Abstract

In the present study, the hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of stem, branches and roots from Crotalaria longirostrata were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus flavus. The variables analyzed were inhibition halos, mycelial growth inhibition, sporulation and minimum inhibitory concentration. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, coumarins, anthrones, anthraquinones, flavonoids and alkaloids on different organic extracts. The hexane extract showed zones of inhibition between 6.3 and 10.5 mm. The mycelia growth and sporulation of A. flavus were reduced to 90% with methanol extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained with hexane extracts were 6.75 mg mL-1 and with methanol extracts were 50 and 25 mg mL-1 for Fusarium strains. This is the first study reporting of phytochemical composition and biological activity of C. longirostrata that could be used as a natural alternative to control in vitro of certain important pathogenic fungi.

Keywords

• fungicidal properties
• extracts
• Fusarium verticillioides
• Fusarium sp.
• Aspergillus flavus