Tested Plant Extracts Research Articles

Potential Antifungal Activity of Two Plant Extracts and Jojoba Oil Against Fungi Causing Strawberry Crown and Root-Rots

Evaluation of the potential antifungal activity of some plant extracts as fungicides alternatives on the growth of some pathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani) causing strawberry crown and root rots was studied under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The evaluated plant extracts were garlic and radish beside jojoba oil. Linear growth of the tested fungi was decreased significantly by all the tested plant extracts as well as by increasing their concentrations compared to control. The fungal growth was completely inhibited at concentration of 15% of both garlic and radish extracts in case of Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani. All tested plant extracts reduced the disease severity of crown and root rots on strawberry in the nursery, decreased the percentage of dead transplants and increased growth parameters. Treatment of strawberry transplants with plant extracts and jojoba oil pre-planting in the field significantly reduced crown and root rot diseases severity, increased early and total yield, also increased total sugars, phenols and anthocyanin as well as increased fruit firmness compared to control treatment. It was noticed that using mixtures of plant extract (double or triple) gave better results than using each alone. The obtained results in the present study suggest that using plant extracts as fungicides alternatives could be a promising method in controlling strawberry soil borne pathogenic fungi.

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Antibacterial and cytotoxic potential.

In green chemistry, the application of a biogenic material as a mediator in nanoparticles formation is an innovative nanotechnology. Our current investigation aimed at testing the cytotoxic potential and antimicrobial ability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were prepared using Calligonum comosum roots and Azadirachta indica leaf extracts as stabilizing and reducing agents. An agar well diffusion technique was employed to detect synthesized AgNPs antibacterial ability on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains. Furthermore, their cytotoxic capability against LoVo, MDA-MB231 and HepG2 ca cells was investigated. For phyto-chemical detection in the biogenic AgNPs the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was considered. Zeta sizer, TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) were used to detect biogenic AgNPs’ size and morphology. The current results showed the capability of tested plant extract for conversion of Ag ions to AgNPs with a mean size ranging between 90.8 ± 0.8 and 183.2 ± 0.7 nm in diameter. Furthermore, prepared AgNPs exhibited apoptotic potential against HepG2, LoVo, and MDA-MB 231cell with IC50 ranging between 10.9 and 21.4 μg/ml and antibacterial ability in the range of 16.0 ± 0.1 to 22.0 ± 1.8 mm diameter. Activation of caspases in AgNPs treated cells could be the main indicator for their positive effect causing apoptosis. The current investigation suggested that the green production of AgNPs could be a suitable substitute to large-scale production of AgNPs, since stable and active nanoparticles could be obtained.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF EARLY BLIGHT DISEASE ON TOMATO, CLIMATIC FACTORS AND BIOEFFICACY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST Alternaria solani

Information on the spatial variability in plant disease is essential for location-based disease management. In the current study, the spatial distribution of tomato early blight disease was ascertained in District Gilgit, GilgitBaltistan, Pakistan. The comprehensive field survey was carried in two growing seasons (2014–2015), whereas in each growing season, 62 tomato fields were surveyed. Based on the distribution of disease, the respective thematic maps (incidence and severity) were prepared using Arc Map 10.1 with spatial analyst function of Arc GIS software by means of the inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation method. Results indicate that early blight of tomato is spatially distributed in both growing seasons. However, in the first growing season, the disease incidence ranged from 10.22% to 44.16% and during later season 14.03–49.16%, whereas 5.37–16.40% and 6.52–26.94% severity was recorded. Furthermore, this information indicates that higher disease infestation occurred in 2015 in relation to 2014. This information linked to metrological data (temperature, precipitation and relative humidity), seemingly favored the early blight development during the growing period. Seven botanical extracts were tested against pathogen Alternaria solani at different concentrations (4, 6 and 8%). Results revealed that all tested plant extracts showed antifungal activities. However, at 8% concentration of plant extract, Datura starmonium, Berberis orthobotry, Podophyllum emodi and Uretica dioica exhibited >60%, while Peganum harmala, Artemisia maritima and Capparis spinosa <60% antifungal properties. The information generated due to this study could help the tomato growers regarding disease management and selection of resistant cultivars, improving profitability and food security in the Gilgit region.

The Relationship between Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Differently Pigmented Varieties of Berry Fruits; Comparison between Embedded in Food Matrix and Isolated Anthocyanins.

The aim of this research was to correlate the composition of phenolic compounds and bioactivities (antioxidant, cytotoxic, antigenotoxic, and influence on selected enzymatic activities) exhibited by extracts from differently pigmented raspberry (yellow and red), grape (white and red), mulberry (white and black), and currant (white, red, and black) varieties. It was presumed that phytocomplexes of the same species will be similar while differing significantly only by the content of anthocyanins in colored varieties, which will impact biological properties. Additionally, to compare food matrix embedded and isolated anthocyanins, the influence of purified solution, in concentrations matching the total concentration of anthocyanins in appropriate colored plant samples, on investigated biological activities was studied. The phenolic compound composition and antioxidant profiles showed that anthocyanin content was correlated only with antioxidant capacity of tested plant extracts. The other determined biological activities failed to reveal any simple relationship between chemopreventive potential and anthocyanin composition in fruits studied nor any similarity to biological properties of isolated cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. These observations indirectly support the food synergy concept, that points to interactions between different phytochemicals as a factor deciding about the final bioactivity of edible plants.

Antifungal activity of some medicinal plant extracts against some fungal isolates

Introduction: Fungi live everywhere in the environment, most of them are not dangerous, but some types of fungi can be harmful to humanhealth. The medicinal plants contain many antimicrobial components that make them recently used as powerful drugs. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the antifungal potential and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of three plant extract: Aloe vera gel, cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) against three fungal species: Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum. Materials and Methods: The plant materials were extracted using solvents DMSO and ethanol and then were tested against the selected fungal isolates using well diffusion method. Results and Discussion: Antifungal activity of Aloe vera against Aspergillus niger showed MIC value of 25% whereas for Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum the MIC obtained was 100%. Both cinnamon and turmeric showed maximum potency against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum at highest MIC value of 100 %. The degree of inhibition increased correspondingly with increasing concentrations of the plant extracts. Conclusions: the tested plant extracts have an antifungal activity and could be used as alternative drugs.

Comparison of Anticancer Activity and HPLC-DAD Determination of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Thalictrum foetidum, Berberis sp. and Chelidonium majus Extracts.

Background: Plants are an important origin of natural substances that the raw material for various pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications due to the presence of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids. Alkaloids, which are found in different plant species, possess numerous biological activities. Some alkaloids have strong cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells. The search for new drugs to treat various cancers is one of the most important challenges of modern scientific research. Objective: This study aimed to investigate of cytotoxic activity of extracts that were obtained from Chelidonium Majus; Berberis sp.; Thalictrum foetidum containing various alkaloids on selected cancer cell lines. The aim was also the quantification of selected alkaloids in the investigated extracts by HPLC. Methods: The analysis of alkaloids contents were performed while using HPLC in reversed phase (RP) mode using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water, and ionic liquid. The cytotoxic effect of the tested plant extracts and respective alkaloids’ standards were examined while using human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells (FaDu), human tongue squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-25), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), and human triple-negative breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231). Conclusion: All of the investigated plant extracts possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines: FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231. The highest cytotoxic activity against FaDu and MDA-MB-231 cells was observed for Chelidonium majus root extract, while the highest cytotoxic activity against SCC-25 and MCF-7 cells was estimated for the Thalictrum foetidum root extract. There obtained significant differences in the cytotoxic activity of extracts that were obtained from the roots and herbs of Chelidonium majus and Thalictrum foetidum. Based on these results, investigated plant extracts can be recommended for further investigations of anticancer activity.

Ocena działania przeciwcukrzycowego ekstraktów otrzymanych z wybranych surowców roślinnych

Introduction. Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, resulting from a defect in insulin secretion or abnormal functioning of this hormone. The consequence of the lack of insulin is the disturbed metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Chronic hyperglycemia causes damage and dysfunction of many organs. One of the ways to support the treatment of diabetes is the use of plant preparations. Aim. The aim of the study was to examine and compare the biological (α-glucosidase and antioxidative) activity and the content of polyphenols and flavonoids in selected plants: Anserinae herba, Alchemillae herba and Fragariae folium, included in herbal tea blends used in diabetes. Material and methods. The content of polyphenols was determined by applying the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the flavonoid content by the AlCl3 method. The antioxidant properties were tested using the reagent method DPPH and CUPRAC, while the inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase by measuring the absorbance of p-nitrophenol from PNPG released by hydrolysis of sugars by the enzyme. Results. High total polyphenols content in the tested plant extracts was found, amounting to 121.30; 98.30; 71.66 mg gallic acid equivalent/g for Alchemillae herba, Fragariae folium and Anserinae herba, respectively, and high flavonoid content (17.56, 12.25, 15.48 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively). Antioxidant activity for extracts with a concentration of 0.312 mg/ml was from 46.22 to 79.71% (in the analysis with DPPH radical), while the absorbance value of these tests determined by the CUPRAC method was A = 0.49-1.01. The effect was weaker than vitamin C. The results indicated a strong inhibitory ability of α-glucosidase, which was > 98% for all tested extracts at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, and was many times higher than the standard acarbose analyzed at the above concentration, and comparable with the acrabose activity at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Conclusions. The inhibitory α-glucosidase and antioxidant activity indicates the existence of this mechanism included in analyzed plant extracts, as ingredients herbal tea blends of used in diabetes.

A survey of plants used to treat livestock diseases in the Mnisi community, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and investigation of their antimicrobial activity

Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM), although not documented well, still serves as an alternative or complementary medication for curing or preventing bacterial, fungal and helminth diseases, as well as other maladies such as ticks and tick-borne diseases in South Africa. The aim of this study was to document plant species used as EVM by the Mnisi community at Bushbuckridge in the province of Mpumalanga, and to evaluate their antimicrobial, antibiofilm and cytotoxic activities. The survey was carried out for two weeks from the end of January to the beginning of February 2018 at the local dipping tanks following the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) approach. A total of 50 individuals were interviewed: 82% were local small scale farmers, 10% were herdsmen, 6% herbalists and 2% animal health technicians. Three plant species were selected for bioassays based on their frequency index and lack of information on their bioactivity in the literature. Traditional methods were used for plant extraction using water as described by the respondents. Acetone was used as an organic solvent to compare traditional and organic solvent methods of extract preparation. The extracts were tested for their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties.Eleven plant species belonging to seven families were reported by the farmers for EVM use, and fresh plants from the wild were commonly used to prepare the remedies as decoctions, infusions, pastes and extracted sap. Elephantorrhiza obliqua acetone extract had the best antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.09 mg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while E. obliqua water extracts had the best antifungal activity with MIC values of 0.02 to 0.04 mg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus. Schotia brachypetala acetone extracts inhibited Enterococcus faecalis biofilms by 113% and 135% at zero and 24 h of bacterial growth respectively, while E. obliqua acetone extracts had values of 64% and 83% at these time periods, indicating that they were good inhibitors of biofilm formation and also had the capacity to act against mature biofilms. Seven out of nine tested plant extracts (78%) were non-toxic to moderately cytotoxic while only two plant extracts were relatively toxic against Vero cells. Traditionally prepared remedies were generally more active against fungi and mycobacteria and less toxic than the organic solvent extracts. However, in vivo studies are necessary to support the traditional use of the remedies against diseases in livestock in terms of validating the efficacy but also assessing their potential toxicity.

Aesculus hippocastanum L. extract as a potential emulsion stabilizer

Aesculus hippocastanum L. extract is gaining interest because of the presence of saponins content as a potential emulsion stabilizer. Saponin-containing plant extracts are receiving much interest because of their surface-active properties. This study presents the investigations on Aesculus hippocastanum L. (AHL) bark extract as a potential antibacterial emulsion stabilizer. The tested crude extract of AHL contained 4.7% saponins, which are considered as the main group of extract components responsible for its surface-active properties. Two series of plant extracts were prepared: the first one (crude) was obtained immediately after the extraction procedure, and the second one was obtained by filtration of crude extract through a syringe filter (200 nm). The emulsifying properties of crude and filtered extracts were compared according to their surface-active properties and emulsification index (EI24). Moreover, fluorescence behavior and antimicrobial activity of the extracts were studied. Microviscosity tests were performed by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The obtained results confirmed the toxic effect of the tested plant extract on environmental bacterial strains. At the highest used concentration of AHL extract (the tripled critical micelle concentration value), the metabolic activity was lowered to 3% (for Pseudomonas sp. MChB) and 73% (for Raoultella planticola). The presented results are the first step to evaluate the plant extracts according to their basic properties in the context of the particle size. Furthermore, the basic toxicity test showed that AHL extracts might be considered as a potential preservation agent in food industry or packaging systems.

The Activity of Isoquinoline Alkaloids and Extracts from Chelidonium majus against Pathogenic Bacteria and Candida sp.

Chelidonium majus (Papaveraceae) extracts exhibit antimicrobial activity due to the complex alkaloid composition. The aim of the research was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of extracts from wild plants and in vitro cultures, as well as seven major individual alkaloids. Plant material derived from different natural habitats and in vitro cultures was used for the phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial tests. The composition of alkaloids was analyzed using chromatographic techniques (HPLC with DAD detection). The results have shown that roots contained higher number and amounts of alkaloids in comparison to aerial parts. All tested plant extracts manifested antimicrobial activity, related to different chemical structures of the alkaloids. Root extract used at 31.25–62.5 mg/L strongly reduced bacterial biomass. From the seven individually tested alkaloids, chelerythrine was the most effective against P. aeruginosa (MIC at 1.9 mg/L), while sanguinarine against S. aureus (MIC at 1.9 mg/L). Strong antifungal activity was observed against C. albicans when chelerythrine, chelidonine, and aerial parts extract were used. The experiments with plant extracts, individually tested alkaloids, and variable combinations of the latter allowed for a deeper insight into the potential mechanisms affecting the activity of this group of compounds.

OCCURRENCE OF ALTERNARIA LEAF SPOT DISEASE ON ALOE VERA AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Aloe vera is a valuable medicinal crop of the world. It suffers from several diseases but among them alternaria leaf spot and dry rot is most serious fungal disease which effects the commercial production and quality losses to Aloe vera. A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of dry rot disease in different nurseries located in urban areas of Faisalabad. During this survey maximum disease incidence was recorded in Horti club nursery (100%) and minimum disease incidence recorded at Faiz baho nursery and Qadir baksh form (13.8%). Among in-vitro tested fungicides Score gives maximum mycelial growth inhibition (89.5%) and maximum disease control (17.7%) as compared to control and other tested chemicals. Among in-vitro tested plant extracts Neem gives maximum mycelial growth inhabitation (41.2%) and in green house gives 14.2% disease control. Out of four tested fungicides and plant extracts Score and Neem gives best results against A. alternata mycelial growth and disease control.

Phytochemical composition and biological activities of differently pigmented cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) varieties.

Brassica plants contain a wide spectrum of bioactive components that are responsible for their health-promoting potential such as vitamins, polyphenols and glucosinolates. This study attempted to relate the composition of bioactive phytochemicals and chosen biological activities (antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-genotoxic, and influence on enzymatic activities) for extracts from differently pigmented cabbage (white and red) and cauliflower (white and purple) varieties. The assumption was that tested varieties of the same plant would exhibit similar chemical composition differing mostly in anthocyanin content and that the latter will be reflected in biological activity. Profiles of antioxidants obtained using post-column derivatization with ABTS radical confirmed, that the content and composition of anthocyanins is strongly correlated with the antioxidant capacity of tested plant extracts measured by spectrophotometric methods (ABTS, FC, DPPH, FRAP), and Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) test. The results of determinations of other biological activities showed that opposite to purified bioactive phytochemicals, in the case of actual plant foods, there was no simple relationship between anthocyanin content and chemopreventive potential. Obtained results suggest that there must be some kind of interaction between different phytochemicals, which decides on the final health promoting activity of edible plants as suggested by for example the food synergy concept. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Correlation of the Theoretical Study with the Experimental Determination of the Antibacterial Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus folium (VM-f) Plant Extract

The last century was marked by efforts to search for natural compounds with antibacterial therapeutic properties, due to the gradual reduction of the number of effective allopathic antibiotics and on the toxic effects of antibiotic residues in animal products. Medicinal plants are considered new resources for producing agents that could act as alternatives to antibiotics in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We determined the polyphenolic composition of the tested plant extract by HPLC technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Vaccinum myrtillus folium (VM-f) ethanolic extract, using the diffusion method on nutritive agar (Kirby-Bauer). We compared the experimental results with the theoretical antibacterial activity calculated with AUTODOCK 4.2.

Preliminary phytochemical and biological investigations of ethanolic extract of Grewia hirsute Vahl

The study was designed to determine the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, antimicrobial activities and presence of phytochemical constituents of ethanolic extract of Grewia hirsute (EGH) Vahl. Analgesic property was investigated by acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin induced writhing method, anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by xylin generated ear edema and carrageenan-induced edema in rat paw, anti-diarrheal study was conducted by castor oil and testing of gut motility using barium sulfate (BaSO4) and anti-microbial activity was assessed by disc diffusion method. In hot plate method, 250 mg/kg b.w. disclosed higher percentage latency elongation. In acetic acid-induced analgesia, percentage of writhing inhibition for 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w doses of plant extract and standard drug were 55%, 70% and 84% respectively. At later phase, 250, 500 mg/kg b.w doses of extract and standard drug showed 66.01%, 76.3% and 82.608% writhing inhibition individually in analgesia induced by formalin. In xylin-induced ear edema, 500 mg/kg b.w. dose showed noticeable inhibition (59.79%) than 250 mg/kg b.w. (48.18%). In carrageenan method, EGH demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) inhibition activity as 40.67%, 53.11% and 62.03% for 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. dose and standard drug respectively. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, the percentage inhibition of defection for 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. dose were 41.67% and 59.72%, respectively, whereas in gut motility test, 500 mg/kg b.w. dose showed remarkable (30.45%) depletion of BaSO4 transit. The tested plant extract have potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal and antimicrobial properties which may conclude the extract as a potential source of phytomedicine.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Selective Medicinal Plants Curcuma longa, Lavandula stoechas, Aegle marmelos, and Glycyrrhiza glabra and Their Polyherbal Preparation in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Background:Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with relative or absolute insulin deficiency or resistance, characterized by hyperglycemia. Modern prescriptions such as pioglitazone have better therapeutic potential, but its side effects and financial burden for developing countries have motivated the researchers to find alternative natural drugs to compete hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. The present study was conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of selected medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes as an alternative to allopathic medicines.Method:In present study, hydroalcoholic extracts of Curcuma longa, Lavandula stoechas, Aegle marmelos, and Glycyrrhiza glabra and their polyherbal preparation (PHP) as compound drug were investigated for their antihyperglycemic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The study subjects (mice) were divided into different groups as normal control, diabetic control, pioglitazone treated (standard drug), test groups (plant extract treated 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight), and PHP-treated group. Blood glucose concentration of all the study animals was determined by Glucose strip test. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of all the plant extracts was also performed following standard methods.Result:It was investigated that treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic mice with hydroalcoholic extracts of studied medicinal plants showed significant (P < .05) effects on fasting blood glucose levels (from baseline to normal range) in a manner comparable to that of the reference drug, pioglitazone (1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal). The tested plant extracts significantly (P < .05) reduced the glucose concentration in blood of diabetes-induced mice in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion:It could be concluded that studied medicinal plants have antihyperglycemic activity. The study findings favor the use of traditional herbal medicinal practices for the management of diabetes that might due to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents in plants. However, larger studies are required to identify, isolate, and characterize the bioactive phytoconstituents responsible for antihyperglycemic activity of studied medicinal plants.

Laboratory and field evaluation of certain wild plant extracts against Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) and its predators

BackgroundBroad bean (Vicia faba L.) is considered one of the most essential food crops in Egypt. Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) causes a considerable damage to bean plants as well as to other leguminous crops. The present study dealt with laboratory and field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of some plant extracts against A. fabae and two predatory species.ResultsThe effectiveness of six plant extracts viz Ballota undulata (BU), Teucrium polium (TP), Phlomis aurea (PA) (Lamiaceae), Pulicaria incisa (PI), Seriphidium herba-alba (SHA) (Asteraceae), and Euphorbia saint catherine (ESC) (Euphorbiaceae) against the bean aphid (A. fabae) and on the two predators, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) and Coccinella undecimpunctata L., was determined in both laboratory and field. Results showed that BU, TP, and SHA were the most toxic extracts to aphids, followed by PA and PI, while the ESC was the least toxic one. The lethal effects, expressed as percent mortalities, were 74.3, 73.2, 72.7, 65.9, 62.5, and 56.8%, respectively. All mortality rates were significantly different than the control. Regarding the effect on the predators, insignificant differences were observed between the tested extracts and the control. In the field, the tested plant extracts were efficient for controlling the aphid without a harmful effect on the predators. The extracts had a various positive effect on crop yield; it was increased.ConclusionThe six tested plant extracts, evaluated against A. fabae, and two predatory species showed efficiency in aphid control and safety to the predators in the field.

Pathogenicity of &lt;i&gt;Meloidogyne incognita&lt;/i&gt; in selected groundnut varieties and its management with aqueous leaf extracts of wild sage (&lt;i&gt;Lantana camara&lt;/i&gt; L.) and locust bean (&lt;i&gt;Parkia biglobosa&lt;/i&gt; Jacq.)

Meloidogyne incognita , on four groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties. The efficacy aqueous leaf extracts of Lantana camara and Parkia biglobosa in the management of M. incognita infecting the groundnut varieties was also investigated. A preliminary study was first carried out from November 2014 – January 2015 in a screen house to access the pathogenicity of M. incognita on the four varieties of groundnut. Results obtained from soil and root nematode population led to field trials which involved the management of M. incognita using botanicals. The field experiment which was a 4x3 factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) commenced in August, 2015. The effects of treatment on plants’ height, number of leaves, weight of fruits and on the population of root and soil nematodes were determined. Phytochemical screening of the active components in the test plant extracts was also conducted. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD. Results from the study revealed that the growth parameters, yields and nematode population were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the treatment combinations of L. camara and P. biglobosa than the control L. camara leaves extract at 100% performed better than P. biglobosa with respect to all the data measured. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, tannin, flavonoids, phenol and glycosides as the active chemical components in the test plants. This bio–active components were responsible for the nematotoxic effect of the leaf extracts. However results indicate that both aqueous extracts of L. camara and P. biglobosa can be used to manage the root-knot nematodes and increase the yield of groundnut without any toxic effects on the plants. Keywords: Lantana camara , Parkia biglobosa , Meloidogyne incognita , Aqueous leaf extract and Pathogenicity

Application of plant extracts as inducers to challenge leaf rust of wheat

Five plant extracts, i.e., henna, Lawsonia inermis; acalypha, Acalypha wilkesiana; chinaberry, Melia azedarach; pomegranate, Punica granatum; and lantana, Lantana camara, were tested as inducers to protect wheat against leaf rust infection caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. The plant extracts were applied pre-infection on susceptible wheat cultivar "Gemmiza-7" under field conditions during two growing seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). All the tested plant extracts were found to be effective against the leaf rust infection. They significantly reduced the coefficient of infection (ACI) to be ranging 7.50 to 20.00, compared to the non-treated control (ACI = 75.00). Lantana extract was the most effective one (efficiency = 88.88%), which was very close to the fungicide “diniconazole” (efficiency = 89.92%). Henna extract ranked second (80.00%), followed by chinaberry (76.00%), acalypha (72.00%), and pomegranate (68.00%). However, wheat yield components were significantly increased by all the tested treatments, especially lantana extract and the fungicide. Similarly, biochemical analyses revealed a significant increase in the plant contents of chlorophyll a and b, total phenolics, and oxidative enzymes activities (POX and PPO) at all the tested treatments. Results indicated that the tested plant extracts could induce wheat resistance to leaf rust.

Bioefficacy of some insect growth regulators and plant extracts against mosquito larvae of Aedes aegypti

Susceptibility levels of Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae, collected from Al-Taif governorate, Saudi Arabia were evaluated against three insect growth regulators (IGRs) Diflox flowable, Baycidal and Sumilarv as well as three plant extracts Thevetia nerviifolia, Plumeria acuifolia and Lantana camara. According to values of IC50 (concentration which to inhibit the emergence of 50% of adults), the IGR Diflox flowable (0.0028 ppm) proved to be more effective against mosquito larvae of A. aegypti than Baycidal (0.0033 ppm) and Sumilarv (0.047 ppm) by about 1.8 and 16.8 times, respectively. The change in the susceptibility level of the present mosquito larvae may be attributed to the differential mode of actions of the tested IGRs and its effective concentrations. On the other hand, the plant extract T. neriifolia proved to be more effective against A. aegypti larvae, followed by P. acuifolia and L. camara by about 1.3 and 3.7 folds, respectively. This was highly pronounced on the basis of IC50 values obtained which were in respect 85.5 ppm, 108.7 ppm and 317.4 ppm. Variation in the susceptibility status of A. aegypt larvae is possibly due to differences in the nature of active components present in the test plant extracts and its effective concentrations. Generally, the tested IGRs and plant extracts exhibited promising larvicidal activity and can be used as alternatives for mosquito control.

The comparison of betalain composition and chosen biological activities for differently pigmented prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris) varieties

Betalains are a group of plant originated pigments with chemopreventive potential. The aim of this study was to relate the composition of betalains and chosen biological activities (antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-genotoxic and influence on enzymatic activities) for extracts from differently pigmented varieties of prickly pear (yellow, orange and red) and beetroot (white and red). The assumption was that phytocomplexes of tested varieties of the same plant species would exhibit generally similar chemical composition differing mostly in betalain content, which will be reflected by their biological activity. Betalain composition analysis and antioxidant profiles confirmed that the content and composition of these pigments is strongly correlated with the antioxidant activity of tested plant extracts measured by spectrophotometric methods and CAA test. However, the results of determinations of other biological activities showed that in the case of actual plant foods, there was no simple relationship between betalain content or composition and chemopreventive potential.