Observation on antifungal activities of Calotropis procera leaves against Phytophthora and Alternaria

Abstract

Calotropis procera, a widely distributed medicinal plant, is known for its diverse bioactive compounds that possess various pharmacological properties. This research focused on extracting phytochemicals using different solvents and evaluating their antifungal efficacy against two prevalent plant pathogens (Phytophthora and Alternaria). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of significant amounts of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, with ethanol and methanol being the most effective solvents for extraction. The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The results indicated that the ethanol and methanol extracts exhibited considerable antifungal activity with ethanol extract demonstrating the highest zone of inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values further confirmed the potency of the extracts, suggesting that Calotropis procera could serve as a natural biofungicide. The extracts showed promising results, but were less effective compared to commercial fungicide, indicating needs for further research optimization and standardization. This study contributes to understanding of the antifungal potential of C. procera and highlights its application as sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides in agriculture. These findings support exploration of plant-based solutions in managing fungal diseases, promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. Future research is recommended to evaluate the field efficacy of these extracts and safety for use on crops.