Background

The causal agent of Black Sigatoka, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, is the main phytosanitary problem in the production of banana and plantain in the American continent.

Objectives

To evaluate the antifungal activity of three ethanol extracts of propolis on the in vitro growth of M. fijiensis.

Methods

A dose response bioassay was established with three ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP: PTeco1, PTeco2 and PYuc) using four concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% v/v). The daily growth rate (DGR), percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (%MGI), mean effective concentration (EC50) and total phenol content were determined.

Results and conclusions

EEP PYuc reduced the DGR and achieved the highest %MGI in M. fijiensis. PYuc (0.24%) achieved the lowest EC50 followed by PTeco1 (0.86%) and PTeco2 (3.34%). PYuc (140.47 μg/mL) showed the highest content of total phenols in comparison to PTeco1 (100.94 μg/mL) and PTeco2 (105.82 μg/mL). In conclusion, by its low EC50 the PYuc propolis has higher antifungal activity than the two local propolis studied.

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