Sensitivity of environmental fungi to extracts of the genus Baccharis

Abstract

The interest in finding biologically active molecules against fungi is on the increase, not only because of their usefulness in the treatment of diseases but also to control their proliferation. Vegetables are an important source of antimicrobial agents. The species Baccharis boliviensis (Bb) and Baccharis tola (Bt), which grow in the Puna Argentina in extreme environments, could be a source of metabolites of antifungal action. The present work determines the antifungal effect of both plant species against environmental fungi belonging to different genera. Ethanol extracts (3.200 mg/ml of phenolic compounds) and 2 μl of spore suspension (5x103 spores/ ml) were used. The values of fungal growth were converted to their equivalent in inhibition percentage (%). Subsequently, we determined the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts (100-3200 μg/ml of phenolic compounds) and 2 μl of each (5x103 spores/ml) spore suspension. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was most sensitive, showing 100% inhibition with Bb and lower with Bt. Similar results were obtained with Alternaria sp. Absidia showed strong inhibition. The remaining strains had lower sensitivity. The extracts had MIC values between 1600 and >3200 mg/ml. The results show that both extracts might be used 6 as antifungals against environmental fungi.