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Medicinal herbs are the potential sources for antimicrobial compounds against soil-borne pathogens. The present investigation focuses on assessing the efficacy of antifungal activity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by seven different medicinal herbs in the suppression of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopercisi, the causal agent of wilt disease in tomato plants. Among the seven samples tested invitro, the blend of VOCs emitted from mint (Mentha spicata) leaves inhibited the mycelial growth of F. o. f.sp. lycopercisi up to 41.88% followed by lemongrass (39.44%) and nochi leaves (34.66%). The important VOCs emitted by mint and lemongrass samples were identified through Headspace -Gas chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrophotometry (HS-GCMS) which revealed the presence of around 25 different compounds with varied functional groups. Among them -(-) carvone obtained from mint leaves had the highest relative abundance (2.08% peak area at 10.25 RT). In addition, geraniol and citronellol were also present with a peak area percentage of 15.85 at 10.37 RT and 5.27 at 9.97 RT, respectively. Pure compounds of carvone, geraniol and citronellol (Sigma Aldrich) along with plant samples were also tested in vitro for comparison on the inhibition of mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopercisi. Among the samples, citronellol was found to be the most effective and suppressed the wilt pathogen up to 100% at 500 ppm, followed by carvone (up to 90% inhibition) in the partition plate method. The results indicated that VOCs produced from mint and lemongrass could be explored with an additive effect for the management of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopercisi along with other Integrated Disease Management (IDM) practices.

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The aim of the present work is to develop and standardize the topical herbal formulations using well documented herbs. Topical herbal cream formulations were prepared by using aqueous extracts of Eupatorium glandulosum Hook, Cissus quadrangularis Linn and mixed extracts of both the plants. The above plants are traditionally used for healing of cuts and wounds. Crude raw materials of Eupatorium glandulosum (leaf) and Cissus quadrangularis (stem) were collected, shade dried, grinded separately and the moisture free materials were sieved through 100 mesh. The aqueous extracts were prepared by maceration method using above grinded materials and the extracts were formulated into a topical cream formulations individually and combination of both. The prepared cream formulations were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activity using Gentamycin and Amphoteracin B as standard drug for bacteria and fungi respectively. The wound healing activity was carried out for the formulations using Nitrofurazone 0.2% w/w cream as standard drug. The physical and chemical evaluations were also carried out and compiles as per Pharmacopoeia standards. The present study was observed that the prepared topical herbal cream formulations showed significant antimicrobial and wound healing activities.

Biopesticide has become more important in stored pest management, since the use of synthetic insecticide may cause hazardous to human and environment. The idea of using plant extracts and their potential to control insects is not new; eucalyptus leaves have been used in Brazil to protect grain bulks by placing them in layers between the grains Malaysia has a wealth of plant species with wide range of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids and phenolics. Piper sarmentosum (Piperacea) is widely distributed in Malaysia and often used as food flavoring agents, traditional medicines and pest control agents. Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Plodia interpunctella (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are considered as main pests of stored dry food and can cause more than 30% loss. In this study methanol, hexane and dichloromethane extract of P. sarmentosum were tested against the above mentioned insects. Hexane extracts was the most active causing 100% mortality to S. oryzae at the range of 1mg/ml followed by methanol extracts with 96% mortality. Bioassay guided study of the hexane extract gave two active compounds which are phenolics; sarmentomine and 2,4,5-Trimethoxy-1-propenylbenzene. Both exhibited high toxicity on all pests. 2,4,5-Trimethoxy-1-propenylbenzene had LC 95 of 32 µg/ml on S. oryzae and 78 to 101 µg/ml on R. dominica and P. interpunctella very similar to sarmentomine. Sarmentosine is a new compound with a molecular formula of Structures of both compounds was established by spectroscopic methods namely 1D and 2D NMR, MS, UV and IR.