Determining the Efficacy of Antimycotic Plants as Biopesticides Against Fungal Growth

Overview

Worldwide, fungal and bacterial infections have been responsible for 50% of post-harvest losses (Cabral et al, 2013). When this harvested food is fed to livestock or accidently ingested, it leads to severe illnesses. This is due to harmful mycotoxins such as zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisin that are released by the fungus infecting the crops. The present work aims is to achieve an environmentally safe alternative to synthetic fungicides against Fusarium avenaceum (ATCC® 200466™) derived from three plant species, Bidens alba, Rhizophora mangle, and Foeniculum vulgare. An additional aim is to analyze which plant is most potent against F. avenaceum growth due to past studies on each species indicating this potential. Alcohol extraction of the intended antimycotic compounds using 70% ethanol is conducted on the plant material which is then added to the fungal cultures in petri dishes via sterile discs. Antimycotic activity is determined using a standard disc diffusion method through evaluation by measuring a clear zone of growth inhibition of the diameter in millimeters of F. avenaceum. These extracts will be compared to the prolific synthetic fungicide, prothioconazole, which will act as a standard for the extent of inhibition of what a practical fungicide is capable of. It is expected that R. mangle extract will have the greatest zone of inhibition due to the plant and fungus thriving in a similar humid environment leading to natural defense against fungus to arise in R. mangle. Additionally, past research has indicated the plants antifungal properties against other species within the Fusarium genera. The determination of the optimal plant based fungicide will aid in the decreased use of potentially toxic chemical pesticides moving the industry towards a natural substitute.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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