Abstract

In this study, the biological activity of selected Greek medicinal and aromatic plants on the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata was investigated. Biological activity was screened on crude aquatic extracts and their aqueous phase (ap-pt) after further extraction with petroleum ether. All the Lamiaceae species examined were found to enhance significantly the mycelium growth. Melissa officinalis extracts caused the highest stimulation in mycelium growth, (+109.1%) the ap-pt, and (+51.6%) its crude extract. All ap–pt extracts stimulated conidia production, but Melissa officinalis caused the highest effect (+349.3%). Crude extracts of Salvia officinalis stimulated highly conidial production (+65%) whereas Hyssopus. officinalis and Origanum vulgare inhibited conidia production at 33.3% and 50.0% respectively. The differences in biological activity between crude and ap–pt extracts for each plant species were attributed through the calculation of correspondent synergism ratios (SR) to the interaction between volatile and water – soluble. Rosmarinic acid, detected as the most abundant phenolic compound in all extracts analyzed and found to correlate strongly (R= 0.84) with the stimulation effect on spore production of A. alternata.

Key words: Alternaria alternata , Biological activity, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants