Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of six plants used in ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds present in these highly medicinal plants. The plants studied were Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn, Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Senna occidentalis L., Piper nigrum L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Gongronema latifolium Benth. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant species were screened for the presence of alkaloid, anthraquinone, coumarin, flavonoid, phenol, quinone, saponin, tannin, sugar and glycoside and quantitative study was also carried out using Standard method. Qualitative study indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts of P. amarus and E. heterophylla, and absence of anthraquinone in S. occidentalis, P. nigrum, A. conyzoides and G. latifolium. Also, absence of coumarin in S. occidentalis, and phenol in G. latifolium. The aqueous extract indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in A. conyzoides and presence of alkaloid, tannin, sugar and glycoside in other plant species studied. Quantitative analysis showed variable amounts of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, saponins and phenol in all the plants investigated. The different phytochemicals are shown to perform different biological activities in humans and animals. These compounds can be harnessed for industrial and pharmaceutical utilization.
Fungi are the major infectious agents of plant diseases causing significant economic loses to farmers and nations alike. These plant fungal diseases are mostly treated with synthetic chemicals. However, indiscriminate use of these chemicals has increased fungi resistance in plants; constitute residues in plants, their fruits and the environment, and consequently has negative impact on the health of consumers as well as the eco-system. This has led to the drive to search for plant bioactive chemicals which are biodegradable and eco-friendly. Organic products have been researched for use as safe alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals for use and management of plant diseases. The products are not harmful to the health of man and his environment. This paper reviews the bioactive compounds of plants for anti-fungal and bio-fungicidal potencies for plant disease management and the mode of actions of these compounds. From the findings of this study, there are myriads of plant species with bioactive chemicals. This review also revealed that the bioactive compounds are capable of depleting the metals of the pathogens; make them loose their membrane integrity; compete with the fungal pathogen’s steroids to inhibit their spore germinations; cause damage to the fungal plasma membrane, DNA and cytoplasmic granulation, disrupt plasma membrane and leakage of cellular contents. The bioactive compounds also inhibit fungal ATpases, resulting to the dissolution of fungal chaperones and co- chaperones which are the second proteins of fungal cytoskeleton. The mode of actions of the bioactive chemicals show they are effective, without any destructive impact on the consumer and the ecosystem. Based on the findings in this review, the use of plant organic chemicals is recommended as sustainable alternative for the management of plant fungal diseases.
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