Antifungal bryophytes: A possible role against human pathogens and in plant protection

Abstract

Fungi are associated with a number of plant and human diseases. Plant extracts have been used as efficient fungicides inhibiting the growth of many fungal pathogens. Bryophytes, a small group of lower plants, evolutionarily placed between the algae and the pteridophytes, have been reported to store a number of compounds having antifungal efficacy. This review includes a list of bryophytes investigated against a number of plant and human pathogenic fungi with special reference to the compounds, nature of the compounds, name of the fungi and mode of action on the basis of available information. Bisbibenzyl was found to be the predominant antifungal active principle present in the bryophytes showing efficacy by inhibiting different types of biological activities of the pathogens. © 2011 Academic Journal Inc.