Planta Med 2012; 78 - PI301
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320988

Terminalia arjuna: Exploring its fungicidal potential

L Hollenbeck 1, A Pletch 2, H Ho 1, P Dhar 2
  • 1Department of Biology, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY 12561
  • 2Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY 12561

Natural fungicides are desirable alternatives to anthropogenic fungicides that have

negative effects on workers who use them and the environment. We explored the fungicidal

potential of Terminalia arjuna (TA), a tree whose bark extract has recently been found to have pesticidal properties but whose fungicidal potential has not been well-researched. Enhancing the interest in its potential as a fungicide is the fact that TA has clinically-demonstrated cardiotonic properties.

We chose to explore the effects of TA on the growth of a fungus pathogenic to Hudson Valley

agriculture, Geotrichum candidum. Bioassays were conducted with an ethanolic extract of TA against G.

candidum inoculates on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media to determine the lowest concentration of TA extract demonstrating fungicidal activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration was observed at 9.89 uM. The crude ethanolic extract was further fractionated into hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions and bioassays were conducted. The results of our study will be presented.