Phytochemical Characterization and Effect of Cagaita Leaf Extracts on Aspergillus Sp.

Rafael Pozzi Malheiros,Ana Maria Mapeli,Luciana Lucas Machado,Florisvalda Da Silva Santos

doi:10.1590/2179-8087.002917

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fungi of the genus Aspergillus may promote damage to the physiological quality of forest seeds, and plant extracts have been used to control microflora associated with these seeds. Thus, the aim of the present work was to perform the phytochemical characterization of ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from Eugenia dysenterica leaves (cagaita), as well as to evaluate the effect of these extracts on the development of Aspergillus sp. isolated from Hymenaea stigonocarpa seeds (jatoba-do-cerrado). For this, qualitative phytochemical analysis of extracts was carried out and their effect on Aspergillus sp mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination was evaluated. As a result, phenols, hydrolysable tannins, flavonols, flavanones, xanthones, flavones, free steroids and saponins were found in both extracts, which could be used in the search for new antifungal compounds in the treatment of stored forest seeds, since extracts have secondary compounds that allow inhibiting Aspergillus sp mycelial growth.

Highlights

Fungi are a diversified group of organisms that in addition to causing diseases in plants can attack forest seeds during collection, processing and storage stages (Piña-Rodrigues et al, 2007)
Phenols, hydrolysable tannins, flavonols, flavanones, xanthones, flavones, free steroids and saponins were found in both extracts, which could be used in the search for new antifungal compounds in the treatment of stored forest seeds, since extracts have secondary compounds that allow inhibiting Aspergillus sp mycelial growth
Phytochemical characterization of extracts obtained from E. dysenterica

Summary

Introduction

Fungi are a diversified group of organisms that in addition to causing diseases in plants can attack forest seeds during collection, processing and storage stages (Piña-Rodrigues et al, 2007). Fungicides Benzimidazole, Dithiocarbonate, Captan, Rhodiauram and Monceren® (Vieira & Gusmão, 2006; Silva et al, 2011) are the most widely used to treat forest seeds; the use of these products may damage human health, and the environment. In this context, extracts from medicinal plants have been used to control microflora associated with seeds, since these species have bioactive substances in their chemical composition that can act as fungicides (Souza et al, 2003; Carnelossi et al, 2009). Among species used for medicinal purposes, those belonging to the genus Eugenia (Fischer et al, 2005) should be highlighted

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Results