Antifungal activity of a methanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. root against Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora capsici

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the antifungal activity of a methanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. root, which inhibited the growth of the plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora capsici. The EC₅₀ values of the G. uralensis Fisch. extract three, six, and nine days after treatment were 113.4, 150.6, and 191.4 µg/ml for F. oxysporum and 84.7, 148.6, and 190.1 µg/ml for P. capsici, respectively, and the antifungal activity exhibited a dose-dependent response. The MIC value of G. uralensis Fisch. extract was found to be 100, 200, and 400 μg/ml at three, six, and nine days after treatment for F. oxysporum. In contrast, for P. capsici, the MIC value was 50, 100, and 100 μg/ml at three, six, and nine days after treatment. After three days of incubation with 400 µg/ml G. uralensis Fisch. extract, the hyphae of F. oxysporum exhibited abnormalities and atrophy, leading to mycelial collapse. In contrast, the hyphae of P. capsici displayed swelling with increased branching. These results furnish valuable insights into the antifungal metabolites present in G. uralensis Fisch. extract, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly products aimed at controlling the growth of pathogenic fungi.