Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity of Some Moroccan Seaweeds Against Three Postharvest Fungal Pathogens

Abstract

Background and Objective: Seaweeds are the most abundant marine resource, including novel bioactive molecules that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. The use of these resources to develop eco-friendly antifungal products is a suitable alternative to chemical fungicides in controlling postharvest decays. Materials and Methods: In this study, aqueous extracts of four seaweeds were collected from the Moroccan Atlantic Coastline (Agadir) Bifurcaria bifurcata, Corallina officinalis, Codium tomentosum and Ulva fasciata were phytochemically investigated and evaluated regarding their antioxidant and antifungal properties. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. The antifungal activity was assessed in vitro against 3 postharvest phytopathogenic fungi Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium italicum. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assays. Results: The studied algal extracts showed significant variation in antioxidant activity, whereas, in most of the cases, the analysis revealed remarkable antioxidant capacity and high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Specifically, B. bifurcata followed by U. fasciata contained the highest levels of TPC, TFC and exhibited higher antioxidant activity (IC 50 values of 0.18 and 0.23 mg mLG 1 , respectively). These extracts also exhibited strong antifungal activity, particularly that of B. bifurcata, which proved to be more effective in reducing the mycelial growth of P. digitatum, P. italicum and P. expansum. Conclusion:The present findings suggest that local seaweeds, especially B. bifurcata and U. fasciata are potential sources of bioactive compounds and should be investigated for natural fungicides to control or delay fruit postharvest decay.

A Study on the Antimicrobial Activity of Algae Extract: The Fucales Order Case

“…The results showed antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms, with seasonal variation in activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.3 mg/mL (G. stearothermophilus) to 19.9 mg/mL (S. aureus) [12]. In addition, the water extracts of B. bifurcaria were found to have potent antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium expansum, and Penicillium italicum [13]. The ethanolic extract was the most active [11] AcO: acetone, nBut: n-butanol, Chl: chloroform, cHx: cyclohexane, DCM: dichloromethane, Dieth: diethyl ether, EtOH: ethanol, EtAc: ethyl acetate, HX: hexane, IPr: isopropanol, MeOH: methanol, PE: petroleum ether, W: water, RT: room temperature.…”

Evaluation of the Native Killer Yeasts against the Postharvest Phytopathogenic mould of Balady Orange Fruits

“…Agar well diffusion assay adapted from [35,36,37] with the aim to evaluate the antagonistic capacity of all of the isolated killer yeasts against the examined phytopathogenic moulds. Yeast suspensions were prepared by inoculating 25ml of YEPD in Erlenmeyer flasks with a loopful of cells and incubated at 25°C for 24h.…”

Exploration of Antimicrobial Potential in Oualidia Algae: Unveiling <i>Cystoseira Humilis</i> as a Promising Source of Bioactive Molecules

“…In recent years, a great deal of research has been carried out into active substances of marine origin in the algae of the Atlantic coast of El Jadida. This work has led to the selection of the most active algal species and the isolation of numerous molecules with significant pharmacological activity [Fayzi et al, 2022;Khaya et al, 2022;Rhimou, 2013].…”