Phytochemical profile and in vitro activity of Agave angustifolia and A. cupreata extracts against phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract

Phytopathogenic fungi can cause economic losses. The application of natural products from species of the genus Agave is an alternative for controlling these organisms. The present study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile of Agave angustifolia and A. cupreata extracts and to evaluate their antifungal activity against several species of phytopathogenic fungi. The aqueous extract from A. angustifolia and the acetonic extract from A. cupreata were studied. The phytochemical profile was determined by thin-layer chromatography. Mycelial growth inhibition and spore production were evaluated. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenes. The acetonic extract of A. cupreata inhibited 76, 60, and 59% of the mycelial growth of Lasiodiplodia viticola, Colletotrichum sp., and Epicoccum sorghinum, respectively, at 8 and 16 mg mL-1 (p?0.05), while spore production decreased by 92 and 86 % (p?0.001) for Fusarium subglutinans and Colletotrichum sp., respectively. The aqueous extract of A. angustifolia inhibited 40% of the mycelial growth of E. sorghinum at 16 mg mL-1 (p?0.05) and reduced the spore production of L. viticola by 35% (p?0.001). The results indicate that the extracts under study can be an alternative source of antifungal compounds.