Bioactivities of catechin from gambir (uncaria gambir roxb.) against wood-decaying fungi

Abstract

Gambir is one of the most economically important natural products of Indonesia. Indonesia accounts for 80% of the global exports of this product. The product contains catechin, a phenolic compound of the flavonoid group, which has demonstrated bioactivity against horticulture-destroying fungi. However, its bioactivity in controlling wood-decaying fungi has not yet been reported. A laboratory study was conducted to examine the characteristics of the catechin of gambir and its bioactivity against the wood-decaying fungi Schizophylum commune Fr. Extraction of catechin from gambir was conducted via a gradual maceration process using hot water (70 °C, 3 h) followed by ethyl acetate (1:10 w/v, 4 h). The chemical components of catechin were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), while its bioactivity against S. commune was examined according to EN 113 (1986). The results showed that there were five chemical components in catechins, i.e., 1,2-benzenediol, catechol, 1,3,5-benzenetriol, dimethyl terephphtalate, and terephthalic acid. These compounds demonstrated the ability to remarkably inhibit the growth of S. commune.