In-vitro evaluation of Datura metel leaves for potential antifungal activity against Lasiodiplodia theobromae Pat.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal efficacy of ethanolic extract of leaves of Datura metel compared with standard antibiotics against pathogenic fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae Pat., using Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replicates. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the mean separation was done using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the probability of 5%. The quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analyses of the leaves of D. metel were carried out in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Port Harcourt Choba, using chemical methods to identifying the phytochemical constituents present in the leaves of D. metel. Results of the screening showed that the leaves of D. metel had significant amount of phytochemical constituents, alkaloid (1.50%), flavonoid (13.60%), saponins (11.60%), tannin (0.69%) and cyanogenic glycosides (0.08%) the ethanolic extracts of D. metel leaves at 100 and 80% competed favourable as compared with Standard antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) which significantly (P ≤ 0.05) antagonized the fungus: L. theobromae by reducing the mycelial growth with inhibitory zones of 0.55 ± 0.13 to 0.70 ± 0.08 cm. The research therefore recommended for the use of 80 and 100% ethanolic extract of leaves of D. metel which inhibited the mycelial growth the fungus; L. theobromae. This plant leaf extracts will serve as fungicidal pesticides for poor resource farmers.

Keywords: Antifungal efficacy, Datura metel, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, ethanolic extract, Potato dextrose agar (PDA), standard antibiotic.