FUNGICIDAL POTENTIAL OF PURIFIED ALKALOIDS - SOLASODINE AND CAULOPHYLLUMINE-A FROM SOLANUM MAURITIANUM SCOP. AGAINST SOME PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

Abstract

Solanum mauritianum a shrub or small tree branched to form a rounded canopy. It is spineless and
densely pubescent with sessile to long-stalked stellate hairs. The green berries ripen to yellow fruit
which are globose. The fruit are borne in compact terminal clusters. The plant possesses the
precursor for the synthesis of corticosteroid drugs from the unripe fruit or leaves of the plant. In this
scenario, the present study aims the fungicidal potential of purified alkaloids - solasodine and
caulophyllumine-A from Solanum mauritianum Scop. against selected phytopathogenic fungi such as
Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Albugo candida, Rhizoctonia solani, and
Cercospora arachidicola at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 and 3 (mg/l). Solasodine and
caulophyllumine-A showed different degrees of fungicidal activity against the tested pathogens. When
compared with the control, the highest fungicidal activity (MIC) was recorded for solasodine at a
concentration of 0.15 mg/l against F. oxysporum while, caulophyllumine-A displayed antifungal
property in the range 0.25 to 1mg/l. Alkaloids inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth
significantly substantiating their fungicidal potentials. Extensive studies are warranted to trace the
mode of action of the alkaloids as antifungal agent against the tested phytopathogenic fungi.