Analysis of Chemical Composition and In vitro and In vivo Antifungal Activity of <i>Raphanus raphanistrum </i>Extracts Against <i>Fusarium</i> and <i>Pythiaceae</i>, Affecting Apple and Peach Seedlings

• Main Authors: Sabrine Mannai, Najwa Benfradj, Ahlem Karoui, Ibtissem Ben Ben Salem, Amel Fathallah, Mahmoud M’Hamdi, Naima Boughalleb-M’Hamdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: <i>Raphanus raphanistrum</i>; aqueous; organic extracts; liquid chromatography; gas chromatography; biocontrol
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/9/2479

The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> efficiency of <i>Raphanus raphanistrum</i> extracts against <i>Fusarium</i> and <i>Pythiaceae</i>s pecies associated with apple and peach seedling decline in Tunisian nurseries. A chemical composition of organic extracts was accomplished using liquid chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and gas chromatography analysis. The <i>in vitro</i> test of three aqueous extract doses of <i>R. raphanistrum</i> against some apple and peach decline agents showed its efficacy in reducing mycelia growth. The <i>in vivo</i> assay of fine powder of this plant on peach seedlings revealed that treatment 8-weeks before the inoculation and planting was more efficient than the treatment before one week. This experiment revealed that the root weight of peach seedlings inoculated by F. oxysporum was improved to 207.29%. For apple seedlings, the treatment 8 weeks before the inoculation and plantation was more efficient than the treatment one week before; it reduced the root browning index. The study of <i>R. raphanistrum</i> chemical composition and its efficiency showed that the glucosinolates products: nitrile (4-Hydroxy-3-(4-methylphenylthio) butane nitrile, benzene acetonitrile, 4-fluoro,butane nitrile, 4-hydroxy-3-[(4-methylphenyl) thio] nitrile), and thiocyanate molecules (thiocyanic acid, ethyle) are responsible for the anti-fungal activities.