Occurrence of pathogenic fungi on commercially available medicinal plants and packaged seeds

Abstract

Summary Introduction Pathogenic fungi decrease the quality of commercially available medicinal plants and packaged seeds. Some of fungal pathogens can produce mycotoxins harmful to human health. Objective To evaluate the health status of commercially available medicinal plants and check if packaged seeds of these plants are free from pathogenic fungi. Methods An experiment was conducted on potted plants of lemon balm, peppermint and sweet basil, commercially available and intended for direct use by consumers. For microbiological analyses, 100 stems and leaves of each species were randomly taken. Furthermore, the health of 100 seeds of each species was examined using agar plate method. Results Ten species and genera of pathogenic fungi were isolated from shoots, leaves and seeds of investigated plants. Some of them are toxin-forming species. Lemon balm was the most infected species. Conclusion Bearing in mind the health of consumers, more attention should be paid to the microbiological purity of commercially available medicinal plants and packaged seeds.

Health status of carrots Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus grown in integrated and organic farming systems

“…2b-d) are fungal pathogens of carrots Strandberg 2002, Farrar et al 2004]. According to Irzykowska et al [2007], cv. 'Koral' is more susceptible to infections caused by A. radicina than other carrot cultivars.…”

Effects of different farming systems and crop protection strategies on the health status and yield of carrots Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus

“…The above-ground parts of carrots are infected by Alternaria dauci (Kühn) Groves & Skolko, A. radicina Meier, Drechsler & Eddy, Botrytis cinerea Pers., and Cercospora carotae /Pass./ Kazn. and Siemaszko pathogens which are ubiquitous in seeds, soil, weeds and stored roots , Farrar et al 2004, Irzykowska et al 2007]. Carrots can be effectively protected against dangerous leaf pathogens through the use of adequate agronomic practices and alternative biological protection methods [Töfoli et al 2019] involving seaweed extracts with antifungal properties [Jayaraj et al 2008, Khallil et al 2015, and effective microorganisms (EM) that improve the physicochemical properties and the biological activity of soil [Shin et al 2017].…”