In vitro and in vivo activity of selected plant crude extracts and fractions against penicillium italicum

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate (in vitro and in vivo) seven plant extracts and their liquid fractions against four Penicillium italicum isolates. The in vitro study revealed that a concentration 520 μg/ml of crude extract of sticky fleabane leaves or cinnamon bark generated maximum percentage inhibition of 54% and 43%, respectively, against tested fungal isolates. A concentration of 130 μg /ml from each extract (except harmal and garlic where, 390 μg/ml were required) caused complete inhibition of fungal growth of isolates Pi.1 and Pi.3 infecting orange fruit. A concentration of 130 μg/ml of nightshade fruit, fenugreek or sticky fleabane extract inhibited completely the growth of isolates Pi.3 and Pi.5 infecting lemon fruits, whereas a concentration of 390 μg/ml was required to inhibit the growth of isolate Pi.1. Methanolic fractions of cinnamon, garlic or sticky fleabane completely inhibited the growth of fungal isolates. The IC1 values for these fractions were found to be in the range of: 11.2-24; 30.25-31.50; 25.0-36.0 μg/ml, respectively. A concentration 20 μg/ml of cinnamon hexane fraction inhibited the growth of the fungal isolates, with IC1 values of 13, 13.75, 14 and 13 μg/ml, respectively, obtained against isolates Pi.1, Pi.3, Pi.5 and Pi.6. The nightshade hexane fraction completely inhibited the growth of isolates Pi.1 and Pi.3 with IC1 values of 80 and 37.5 μg/ml, respectively. Cinnamon aqueous fraction completely inhibited the growth of isolates Pi.1 and Pi.5 (IC1 were 61.25 and 58.5 μg/ml, respectively).