ABSTRACT Pathogenic fungi generate crop diseases, and affect yield and food production. The use of phytosanitary products to control fungal diseases can pose a risk to human health and the environment. In this context, the use of plant metabolites as potential bio-controls for pathogens turns out to be a sustainable alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-fungal action of six compounds of plant origin: daidzein, genistein, two chalcones, vanillin and iso-vanillin, on the in vitro growth of pathogens. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (CFM) of each chemical compound were evaluated by the broth micro-dilution method against five fungal genera: Alternaria sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium (F. graminearum, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum), Phomopsis longicolla, and Rhizopus stolonifer. The results indicated that daidzein, genistein, iso-vanillin and CH1 did not show an inhibitory and / or fungicidal action at concentrations lower that 250 mL-1. CH2 was characterized by inhibiting four isolates belonging to three genera in different concentrations, and presenting fungicidal activity on two of them. Vanillin proved to be effective to inhibit and / or eliminate all of the isolates (nine) included in the five fungal genera evaluated at concentrations below 250 mL-1. It is concluded that metabolites of plant origin such as vanillin and CH2 presented antifungal capacity in different degrees and specificity on the isolates.

RESUMEN Los hongos patógenos generan enfermedades en distintos cultivos y afectan el rendimiento y producción de alimentos. El control mediante fitosanitarios puede implicar un riesgo para la salud humana y el ambiente. En este contexto la utilización de los metabolitos vegetales como potenciales bio-controles de patógenos son una alternativa sustentable. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la acción antifúngica de seis compuestos de origen vegetal, daidzeína, genisteína, dos chalconas, vainillina e iso-vainillina, sobre el crecimiento in vitro de patógenos que actúan en cultivos de interés alimentario. Se evaluó la Concentración Inhibitoria Mínima (CIM) y la Concentración Fungicida Mínima (CFM) de cada compuesto químico mediante el método de microdilución en caldo frente a cinco géneros fúngicos: Alternaria sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium (F. graminearum, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum), Phomopsis longicolla, y Rhizopus stolonifer. Los resultados indicaron que daidzeína, genisteína, iso-vainillina y CH1 no presentaron acción inhibitoria y/o fungicida en concentraciones menores a 250 mL-1. CH2 se caracterizó por inhibir a cuatro aislamientos pertenecientes a tres géneros en diferentes concentraciones y presentar actividad fungicida sobre dos de los mismos. La vainillina demostró ser efectiva para inhibir y/o eliminar la totalidad de los aislamientos (nueve) incluidos en los cinco géneros fúngicos evaluados con concentraciones menores a 250 mL-1. Se concluyó que los metabolitos de origen vegetal como la vainillina y CH2 presentaron capacidad antifúngica en diferente grado y especificidad sobre los aislamientos.

Alguns parâmetros são apresentados para o controle de qualidade de raízes de Pfaffia glomerata e Pfaffia paniculata, utilizando suas características botânicas e químicas. Realizou-se, também, um screening farmacológico de P. glomerata direcionado às atividades relacionadas com seu uso como "tônico". O extrato etanólico das raízes de P. glomerata não apresentou atividade antiviral, antiproliferativa, antifúngica ou atividade inibitória de monoaminoxidases. A avaliação da citotoxicidade determinou que a CI50 é > 2.000 µg/mL. As principais características morfológicas e micrográficas das raízes de P. glomerata e P. paniculata descritas permitem auxiliar na sua identificação segura.

Some parameters for the quality control of P. glomerata and P. paniculata roots using their botanical and chemical characteristics are presented. It was also carried out an in vitro pharmacological screening to evaluate some biological properties of P. glomerata that could be related to its popular use as "tonic". Relating to biological assays, ethanolic extract from P. glomerata roots did not present antiviral, antiproliferative, antifungal or MAO inhibitory activities. The cytotoxicity evaluation of P. glomerata determined that IC50 is >2,000 µg/mL. The main morphological and micrographic characteristics of P. glomerata and P. paniculata roots are described in this paper in order to aid in their unequivocal identification.