Preliminary investigation regarding the antifungal activity of Sambucus nigra extracts

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to study the antifungal potential of Sambucus nigra extracts on the in vitro growth of Phytophthora infestans, an economically important plant pathogen causing late blight in several horticultural crops.

Aqueous and ethyl alcohol extracts from distinct part plant of S. nigra were tested by diffusion method for their antifungal activity against P. infestans. The ethyl alcohol extract obtained from dried fruits of S. nigra showed the most intense inhibitory activity against the in vitro growth of P. infestans. The results indicated that the plant extracts tested have a good potential for utilisation in late blight management and can be taken into consideration as an alternative to plant protection.