Solvent Extraction and Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Muntingia calabura Root against Fungal Phytopathogens

The aim of the present study is to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Muntingia calabura (Elaeocarpaceae) leaves against a selected panel of microorganisms. Antimicrobial testing was carried out using the agar well diffusion assay method. The microbes targeted were A. solani, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersici, Pythium sp., Phytophthora sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus niger and Colletotrichum sp. Results of this study showed that the methanol leaf extract of M. calabura was effective against A. solani, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersici, Pythium sp., Phytophthora sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus niger and Colletotrichum sp. with inhibition zone of 2.3, 2.0, 2.0, 1.8, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7cm respectively. The chloroform and petroleum ether extracts showed comparatively less zone of inhibition against the selected pathogens. Finally, it is concluded that M. calabura possesses a potential antifungal property and the results also suggested the presence of more potent polar antifungal compound in the Muntingia calabura plant material.