Abstract
The 50% methylene chloride in hexane flash column fraction of the extract ofthe leaves ofFicus racenzosa was found to have antifungal activity. The extract inhibited the growth of several plant pathogens (Curvularia sp, Colletotriclzun~ gloeosporioides, Alternaria sp, Corynespora cassiicola and Fusariun sp). ~soralen was identified as the active compound and was shown to be biodegradable, having the potential to be developed as a fungicide against pathogens causing diseases on crops of economic importance.
Highlights
Tropical forest plant species have served a s a source of medicine for the people of the tropics for millennia
We report here the effect of the 1:lmethylene chloride : hexane flash column fraction of the leaf extract of F. racemosa on several fungal pathogens causing diseases i n crops of economic importance
The I: 1methylene chloride : hexane fraction was chosen for the study ofthe inhibitory action against plant pathogens because of its higher inhibition and greater weight of residue (5.3 g)
Summary
Tropical forest plant species have served a s a source of medicine for the people of the tropics for millennia. Sri Lanka with its great diversity of flora and fauna, has many plants of medicinal value.'-"Discovery of metabolites showiilg biological activity has led to research programmes aimed a t the isolation and characterization of biologically. Many extracts of local plants have been screened for antifungal activity."--11. Ficz~sracernosa which belongs to the family Moraceae, is a n evergreen tree. 18-20 m high, with glabrous, pubescent or scaberulous shoots. The tree is distributed in India, Burma and Sri Lanka. I n Sri Lanka it is common i n the banks and streams i n the moist low country upto a n altitude of 610 m. The fruit is reddish and about 3.5 cm long[4]
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