Plant pathogens and pests cause a loss of up to 40% of the yield of economically important crops every year [1]. Among them, fungi cause more economic damage than any other group of microorganisms [2]. These phytopathogens includes Colletotrichum coccodes, a species involved in solanaceous anthracnose diseases, Fusarium oxysporum, responsible of vascular wilt in several growing scenarios, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causing basal and stem rot or white mold in a wide range of host, Rhizoctonia solani, a soil-borne pathogen leading to damping-off and basal rot in many crops, and Botrytis cinerea the causal agent of gray mold and one of the most important plant pathogens of worldwide interest [3, 4, 5]. The aims of the present study were (i) to characterize the dichloromethane extract of the fresh aerial parts of S. somalensis, cultivated in Liguria (Italy), (ii) to quantify carnosic acid production and (iii) to find an eco-friendly alternative approach to control diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi. The phytochemical investigation yielded several known terpenoids, as well as a diterpene, 4α,9α-epoxy-2H- dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-7(5H)-one, not previously described as a plant metabolite before. Resultsshowed a noteworthy quantity of carnosic acid (113.90 μg/mg of dried extract). The potential antifungal activity of the plant surface extract and carnosic acid against five phytopathogenic fungi was considered. A complete inhibition of C. coccodes, S. sclerotiorum, and R. solani mycelium growth was observed by carnosic acid at 500 μg/mL. High inhibition values were observed against B. cinerea and F. oxysporum compared to reference active ingredients. Four different B. cinerea strains exhibited a pronounced sensitivity to carnosic acid, also those originating from agricultural crop scenarios where high load of active ingredient for gray mold control was historically adopted. Additionally, the formation and development of the germinative tube in B. cinerea were greatly slowed down, highlighting that potential interesting use of new active ingredients to be use in organic farming.
Antifungal potential of carnosic acid from Salvia somalensis against phytopathogenic fungi
Iobbi V.;Lo Vetere M.;Salis A.;Damonte G.;Bisio A
2024-01-01
Abstract
Plant pathogens and pests cause a loss of up to 40% of the yield of economically important crops every year [1]. Among them, fungi cause more economic damage than any other group of microorganisms [2]. These phytopathogens includes Colletotrichum coccodes, a species involved in solanaceous anthracnose diseases, Fusarium oxysporum, responsible of vascular wilt in several growing scenarios, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causing basal and stem rot or white mold in a wide range of host, Rhizoctonia solani, a soil-borne pathogen leading to damping-off and basal rot in many crops, and Botrytis cinerea the causal agent of gray mold and one of the most important plant pathogens of worldwide interest [3, 4, 5]. The aims of the present study were (i) to characterize the dichloromethane extract of the fresh aerial parts of S. somalensis, cultivated in Liguria (Italy), (ii) to quantify carnosic acid production and (iii) to find an eco-friendly alternative approach to control diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi. The phytochemical investigation yielded several known terpenoids, as well as a diterpene, 4α,9α-epoxy-2H- dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-7(5H)-one, not previously described as a plant metabolite before. Resultsshowed a noteworthy quantity of carnosic acid (113.90 μg/mg of dried extract). The potential antifungal activity of the plant surface extract and carnosic acid against five phytopathogenic fungi was considered. A complete inhibition of C. coccodes, S. sclerotiorum, and R. solani mycelium growth was observed by carnosic acid at 500 μg/mL. High inhibition values were observed against B. cinerea and F. oxysporum compared to reference active ingredients. Four different B. cinerea strains exhibited a pronounced sensitivity to carnosic acid, also those originating from agricultural crop scenarios where high load of active ingredient for gray mold control was historically adopted. Additionally, the formation and development of the germinative tube in B. cinerea were greatly slowed down, highlighting that potential interesting use of new active ingredients to be use in organic farming.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
