Phytochemistry and antifungal activity of floral ethanolic extract of Schultesia aptera Cham. (Gentianaceae f.)

Abstract

Schultesia aptera is a plant species belonging to the Gentianaceae family found in Cerrado areas of Brazil. S. aptera presents a low number of studies, mainly phytochemical. This study aimed to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical profile and antifungal activity of agricultural interest of the floral ethanolic extract of S. aptera. Flowers were collected in April 2024. The ethanolic extract was obtained by maceration and then freeze-drying. The antifungal assays were carried out at different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 µL mL-1) on the fungal strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizopus stolonifer. Phytochemical prospecting demonstrated the presence of 10 groups of pharmaceutical, biotechnological and agricultural interest that have antifungal activities. The floral extract of S. aptera demonstrated effectiveness between the highest concentrations 100-300 µL mL-1 with inhibition rates between 33-71 for C. acutatum and between 31-67% for C. gloeosporioides. S. sclerotiorum and R. stolonifer strains were resistant to all concentrations. The floral ethanolic extract of Schultesia aptera demonstrated to be an antifungal agent on the genus Colletotrichum and can be used to control and inhibit Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.