In vitro antifungal activity of leaf extract of myrtle (Myrtus Communis L.) against phytopathogenic fungi

Mohammed Ali Muhanna Al-Abdali, Issa Hashil Al-Mahmooli, Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sadi, Jamal Nasser Al-Sabahi, Houda Khlafan Al-Ruqaishi, Rethinasamy Velazhahan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The antifungal properties of leaf extract of the medicinal plant, myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) against Pythium aphanidermatum and Alternaria alternata were determined. The methanolic leaf extract of M. communis inhibited the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum in a dose-dependent manner as assessed by poisoned food technique. The leaf extract of myrtle also had inhibitory (17%) effect against conidial germination of A. alternata. The antifungal compound(s) in the methanol extract of M. communis was partially purified by Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and identified by Gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). TLC analysis of methanolic extract of M. communis revealed the presence of a prominent fluorescent spot under UV light (λ = 254 nm) having Rf value of 0.84. The compounds eluted from the TLC plate at Rf 0.84 exhibited antimicrobial activity against A. alternata. GC-MS analysis of the fraction eluted at Rf 0.84 revealed the presence of dodecane and ethyl fluoroacetate. Further studies are required to determine the role of these compounds in antifungal activity of M. communis and the mechanism of action.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4663-4668
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Cellular Archives
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019

Keywords

  • Alternaria alternata
  • Antifungal
  • Myrtus communis
  • Plant extract
  • Pythium aphanidermatum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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