Growth, Survival and Spore Formation of the Pathogenic Aquatic Oomycete Aphanomyces astaci and Fungus Fusarium avenaceum Are Inhibited by Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Bark Extracts In Vitro

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark (Zr-b) extracts against pathogenic aquatic oomycete/fungal isolates that cause different diseases in native European crayfish resulting in an elevated mortality rate and severe economic repercussions. n-hexane, chloroform, chloroform-methanol (9:1) and methanol extracts of Zr-b were used to evaluate the antifungal activity against the strain UEF88662 of Aphanomyces astaci (oomycete) and the strain SMM2 of Fusarium avenaceum (fungus). The anti-oomycete and antifungal activity was quantitatively evaluated by growth, survival and sporulation microbiological assays. The extracts tested demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on oomycete and fungal growth and survival, as well as on the production of oomycete and fungal spores. This work presents alternatives for the treatment and prevention of the spreading of Aphanomyces astaci and Fusarium avenaceum, the etiological agents of the diseases crayfish plague and brown spot disease, respectively. The antifungal properties of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark extracts warrant further research on their use in the prevention and treatment of both oomycete and fungal diseases. The antifungal properties of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium bark extracts, shown in vitro, indicate the possibility of their use in new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, providing perspectives for the design of in vivo studies.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Punica granatum Lythraceae peel extract against pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE group

“…To evaluate the antibacterial effects of the hydro-alcoholic polyphenolic extract from peel pomegranate against ESKAPE group pathogens, an in vitro antimicrobial assay was performed using the agar diffusion method ( Bauer et al, 1966 ; Pagliarulo et al, 2018 ). In brief, bacteria were grown in TSB until they reached an optical density (O.D.)…”

Vine-Winery Byproducts as Precious Resource of Natural Antimicrobials: In Vitro Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Grape Pomace Extracts against Foodborne Pathogens

“…Growing scientific evidence suggests that polyphenolic molecules have the potential to exert important bioactive properties [ 9 , 10 ], including antimicrobial effects [ 11 ]. Several recent studies have shown how polyphenols extracted from different botanical matrices are able to exert significant in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity in in vitro models and beneficial effects in in vivo systems [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Regarding waste from vine-winery chains, some studies have demonstrated the antibacterial potential of polyphenolic extracts from winemaking byproducts [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Essential Oils of Sage, Rosemary, and Bay Laurel Inhibit the Life Stages of Oomycete Pathogens Important in Aquaculture

“…The toxicity of chemical agents used for oomycete control in fisheries prompts the search for environmentally friendly alternatives that should be effective against pathogenic oomycetes but also safe for operators, animals, and the environment. In this context, it has been increasingly shown that alcoholic extracts [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ] and essential oils [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] of selected plants can inhibit pathogenic oomycetes in vitro, with essential oils generally being more potent than alcoholic extracts [ 38 ]. In particular, plants from the Lauraceae and Lamiaceae families, such as Thymbra spicata and Cinnamomum zeylanicum , have been reported to inhibit pathogenic freshwater oomycetes, mostly using the mycelium and zoospores of Saprolegnia spp.…”