IN VITRO ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS OF FIVE MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES ON PLANT PATHOGENIC FUNGI

Abstract

The antifungal effectiveness of extracts of five medicinal plant species was determined. The inhibitory activity of extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Xanthium sibiricum, Artemisia argyi, Tupistra chinensis and Pyrola calliantha were evaluated against the mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum, P. italicum and Rhizopus stolonifer. All plant extracts were prepared at 60°C using solvents (either water, 50% ethanol (v/v), 95% ethanol (v/v), ethyl acetate or petroleum ether). Fungicidal effects of all plants tested were confirmed. Different extracts from the same plant species gave different degrees of inhibition. All aqueous extracts had weak or no activity on all fungi tested. Ethyl acetate and 95% ethanol extracts from T. chinensis rhizomes gave greater inhibition and a broader spectrum inhibition than the other extracts. T. chinensis may have potential as a new natural fungicide and may be used for the preservation of agricultural and forestry products such as fruits and vegetables.