Abstract
The efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts from Phyllanthus amarus, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia heterophylla and Acalypha fimbriata in inhibiting the growth of post-harvest fruit rot fungi of Chrysophyllum albidum was investigated at the concentrations of 100, 80, 60 40 and 20 mg/ml in-vitro. The fungi isolated from rotted fruits and their frequency of occurrence includes Aspergillus niger (69.6%) and Fusarium solani (30.4%). These fungal isolates were cultured on different leaf extracts agar and their radial mycelia growth was observed. The antifungal activities increased with increase in concentrations of the plant extracts with E. heterophylla extract most effective in inhibiting the growth of A. niger while A. fimbriata extract was more effective in the inhibition of F. solani than other extracts. Phytochemical screening of the plant extracts revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and phenols. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence a complex mixture of constituents ranging from 7 compounds in E. hirta, 10 compounds in A. fimbriata, 11 compounds in E. heterophylla and 14 compounds in P. amarus. The result of this study is an indication that these Euphorbiaceae could be a potential source of antifungal agents.
Highlights
The fungi isolated from the diseased Chrysophyllum albidum fruits were Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani
The present study showed that two fungi were associated with post harvest fruit rot disease of Chrysophyllum albidum, which include Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani
The analysis of the plant extract of the leaves in this study showed a complex mixture of constituents
Summary
Don commonly called African star apple and locally called udara (Igbo), agbalumo (Yoruba) belongs to the family Sapotaceae [1]. It features prominently in the compound agro forestry system for fruit, food, cash income and other auxiliary uses including environmental purposes. It is a tree that is common throughout the Tropical Central, East and West Africa regions for its sweet edible fruit and various ethnomedical uses [2]. C. albidum fruits are widely eaten in Southern Nigeria. The fruit is seasonal (December-March), when ripe. It is flattened seeds or sometimes fewer by abortion. The skin or peel is grey when immature turning orange red, pinkish or light yellow within the pulp having three to five seeds arranged as a star [3]
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