Photoactive extracts from Thevetia peruviana with antifungal properties against Cladosporium cucumerinum.
Seeds of Thevetia peruviana were screened for their antifungal photoactivity. Extracts obtained either with n-hexane or dichloromethane were fractionated by column chromatography and further analysed by thin-layer chromatography. All seed extracts and fractions were tested for inhibition of the fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum for the evaluation of photoactive inhibitory effects. Antifungal light-dependent activity was observed for some of the fractions and both crude extracts. The most photoactive fraction was analysed by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in order to identify its constituents. Two major groups of compounds were identified, terpenes and fatty acids and derivatives. Pulegone, linoleic acid and palmitic acid were the major compounds. Terpenes seem to be the major substances with antifungal photoactivity.
Gata-Gonçalves
Lígia
L
Instituto de Investigação Científica e Tropical, CEPTA, Apartado 314, 1301-901, Lisboa, Portugal. ligiagata@mail.telepac.pt
Nogueira
J M F
JM
Matos
Olívia
O
Bruno de Sousa
Raúl
R
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002963:Cladosporium / Q000187:drug effects*; D006586:Hexanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D008752:Methylene Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D031052:Thevetia
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D006586:Hexanes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C026385:n-hexane; D008752:Methylene Chloride