Eco-friendly Approach for the Biocontrol of Two Fusarium spp. Using Allium sativum Extract

Abstract

Biological control strategies for overcoming the fungal pathogens infections are being great explored worldwide. Plant extracts are less toxic, economical, eco-friend and highly efficient as biocontrol as compared with chemical treatments. So, the present study aimed to determine the potential biocontrol activity of ethyl acetate and ethanolic Allium sativum (garlic) extracts against Fusarium  oxysporum and F. moniliforme in-vitro. Results obtained clearly demonstrate that the ethyl acetate extract exhibit more anti-fungal activity as compared to the ethanolic extract. The diameter of inhibition zones for the ethanolic extract was 8.66 mm against F. moniliforme and had no effect on F. oxysporum. While the ethyl acetate extract were 39 mm and 30 mm on F. oxysporum and F. moniliforme, respectively. The MIC of the ethyl acetate extract was 28 mg/mL for F. oxysporum and 58 mg/mL for F. moniliforme.
LC/MS analysis of garlic extract showed different peaks that correspond to important phytochemicals commonly present in garlic such as, Ally-Methyl-Sulfoxide, Pinocembrin, N-Y-Glutamyl phenylalanine, 3,4-Dihydroxy-benzoic acid, Alline, Ajoenes (Z-Ajoene, E-Ajoene), S-Ally-L-cysteine, and Allicin. The antifungal action of garlic is probably due to Allicin or Ajoene which disturb the performance of some important enzymes essential for fungal growth and propagation. It can be concluded from this study that ethyl acetate garlic extract showed potential antifungal activity against both Fusarium spp. suggesting its safe usage for biocontrol.