Chemical control of dieback and mango malformation in a semiarid region

The São Francisco Sub medium Valley is a great mango exporter in Brazil. In this semiarid region, diseases such as dieback and mango malformation have reduced the production of this crop. In this work the effectiveness of different active ingredients (flutriafol, methyl-thiophanate, copper hydroxide and fluxapyroxad mixed with pyraclostrobin) was assessed for the control of these diseases in a mango orchard. Monthly assessments of disease incidence were carried out. There was a difference among treatments for the two diseases studied, with flutriafol as the most effective fungicide against dieback and, for the malformation, the mixture of fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin and methyl-thiophanate showed the best results.

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Crude Extract of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 against Foodborne Bacterium, Yersinia enterocolitica

The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of crude extract of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromaeIBRL OS-64 was studied and tested against a foodborne pathogenic bacterium, Yersinia enterocolitica. The ethylacetate extract exhibited favorable antibacterial activity with the zone of inhibition was 20.3±0.6 mm compared to dichloromethane (15.0±0.3 mm) and butanol (9.0±0.3 mm) extracts. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the extract were 125 and 250 μg/mL, respectively. Structural degeneration studies through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs exhibited major abnormalities that occurred on thebacterial cells after exposureto the extract were complete alterations in their morphology and collapsed of the cells beyond repair. The findings showed that the extract possesses antibiofilm activity against the initial and preformed biofilm of Y. enterocoliticawith the highest inhibition value of 69.12% and 58.70%, respectively The results also revealed the initial biofilm was more susceptible to the extract as compared to pre-formed biofilm. The light microscopy (LM) and SEM photomicrographs proved that thefungal extract significantly eliminates extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrices and hinder the attachment of the bacterial cells for biofilm formation. Therefore, the current study suggested the ethyl acetate crude extract from an endophytic fungus, L. pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 may be an effective antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent to treat foodborne pathogens

Effect of ethyl acetate crude extract of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 against oral cavity bacteria with emphasis on Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus agalactiae have been reported in human oral diseases including cariesand periodontitis. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate crude extract ofLasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64, an endophytic fungus isolated from Ocimum sanctum leaf againstS. mutans and S. agalactiae. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution assays were used to determine the antimicrobialactivities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values.Meanwhile, the microscopic analysis was used to study the structural degeneration of bacterial cells. The fungal crudeextracts demonstrated favorable antibacterial activity toward both test bacteria and produced an inhibition zone rangingfrom 16.0 to 21.2 mm. The MIC and MBC values of the fungal crude extract toward S. mutans and S. agalactiae weredetermined and the results showed that the MIC and MBC values were in the range of 125–500 µg/ml and 125–1,000µg/ml, respectively. The time-kill study suggested that the ethyl acetate crude extract possessed bactericidal effectwith concentration and time-dependent. Structural degeneration studies revealed the major abnormalities occurredto S. mutans cells after treated with the fungal crude extract where completed alterations of their morphology withthe formation of cavities and collapsed cells beyond repair occurred. Therefore, the current study suggested the ethylacetate crude extract of L. pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 could be an effective antibacterial agent to treat oral cavitybacteria.

Antibacterial activity of an endophytic fungus Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 residing in leaves of a medicinal herb, Ocimum sanctum Linn.

The study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of an endophytic fungal isolate, Lasiodiplodiapseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 residing in leaves of a medicinal herb, Ocimum sanctum Linn. Qualitative screeningof the antimicrobial activity was done using an agar plug assay, and the results showed that the fungal isolate wasable to inhibit all the 13 test bacteria. Three Gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus[MRSA] ATCC 33591, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans) were the most susceptible species withthe inhibition zones of ≥21 mm. The other three (Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Bacillus subtilis IBRL A3, andStreptococcus agalactiae) showed the inhibition zones of 11–≤20 mm of diameter. As for Gram-negative bacteria,Yersinia enterocolitica was the most susceptible to the fungal isolate with the size of inhibition zone of ≥21 mm,followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Salmonella typhimurium, and Shigella boydii ATCC 9207 withthe inhibition zones of 11–≤20 mm, whereas Escherichia coli IBRL 0157, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonasaeruginosa ATCC 27883 were the least susceptible with the inhibition zones of ≤10 mm. Quantitative screeningusing disc diffusion assay showed that the fungal ethyl acetate extract prepared from the fermentative broth(extracellular) exhibited better antibacterial activity compared to the methanolic extract prepared from the fungalbiomass (intracellular). The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract exhibited antibacterial activity against all the13 test bacteria with the inhibition zone sizes of 20.0 ± 0.3–31.3 ± 1.2 mm in diameter for Gram-positive bacteria and10.31 ± 0.6–20.1 ± 0.6 mm in diameter for Gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, the methanolic extract onlyinhibited three Gram-positive bacteria (MRSA ATCC 33591, S. aureus, and S. mutans) with the inhibition zones of9.0 ± 0.6–11.0 ± 0.3 mm in diameter, whereas only one Gram-negative (S. typhimurium) with the inhibition zone sizeof 13.3 ± 1.5 mm diameter. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) values of the ethyl acetate extract on Gram-positive bacteria were in the range of 62.50–125.00 and 62.50–500.00 µg/mL, respectively, whereas for the Gram-negative bacteria, the MIC and MBC values were 125.00–250.00and 250.0–1000.00 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the MIC and MBC values for methanolic extract againstGram-positive bacteria were 250.00–500.00 µg/mL and against Gram-negative bacteria were 1000.00 µg/mL,respectively. Both of the extracts exhibited bactericidal effects on test bacteria with the MBC/MIC ratio ≤4. Further,detail of the effects of the ethyl acetate extract on the bacterial cells was observed from the scanning electronmicroscopy photomicrographs which revealed the severity of the morphological deterioration experienced by theextract-treated cells were beyond repair, and the most possible mode of actions were by interrupting the cell wallbiosynthesis and cell membrane permeability

Essential oils of Myrcia lundiana Kiaersk and their major compounds show differentiated activities against three phytopathogenic fungi / Óleos essenciais de Myrcia lundiana Kiaersk e seus compostos majoritários apresentam atividades diferenciadas sobre três fungos fitopatogênicos

The present study evaluated the antifungal activity of the essential oils of chemotypes of Myrcia lundiana and their major compounds on the fungi Fusarium pallidoroseum, Fusarium solani, and Colletotrichum musae. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GCMS/FID. For the evaluation of the antifungal activity, the essential oils and the major compounds were tested at the concentration of 0.1 mL/L until the fungicidal effect was detected. The major compounds detected in the essential oil were 1,8-cineole, isopulegol, and citral. The chemotypes (MLU-005 and MLU-019) provided 100% mycelial growth inhibition for the fungus F. pallidoroseum from the concentration of 1.1 mL/L (minimum inhibition concentration - MIC). For chemotype (MLU-022), the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was 0.3 mL/L. For F. solani, the essential oils of the chemotypes (MLU-005 and MLU-019) presented MIC at concentrations of 7.0 and 5.0 mL/L, respectively. The essential oil of the chemotype (MLU-022) presented MFC of 0.6 mL/L. Different MIC was observed for the three studied chemotypes for the fungus C. musae, ranging between 0.4 mL/L, for the chemotype (MLU-005); 0.5 mL/L, for the chemotype (MLU-022); and 0.7 mL/L, for the chemotype (MLU-019). The best MFC was observed for the chemotype (MLU-005) (0.5 mL/L). The major compounds tested separately presented better MIC values when compared with their chemotypes, except for the compound 1,8-cineole, which presented lower mycelial growth inhibition for the three fungi tested, suggesting that the chemical profile or the presence of some other compound of the essential oil may inhibit the growth of the three fungi studied. The compound isopulegol provided lower MFC for the fungus C. musae (0.4517 mL/L) when compared with the fungi F. pallidoroseum and F. solani, (MFC of 0.4927 mL/L). The compound citral provided a lower MFC on the fungus C. musae (0.1668 mL/L) in relation to the other fungi tested. The essential oils of the chemotypes of M. lundiana and their major compounds showed potential to control the studied phytopathogens and can be an alternative for agriculture for presenting an inhibitory and fungicidal effect against these organisms at lower concentrations.

O presente trabalho avaliou a atividade antifúngica de óleos essenciais de quimiotipos de Myrcia lundiana dos seus compostos majoritários sobre os fungos Fusarium pallidoroseum, Fusarium solani e Colletotrichum musae. Os óleos essenciais foram obtidos por hidrodestilação e analisados por CGEM/DIC. Para avaliação da atividade antifúngica, foram testados os óleos essenciais e os compostos majoritários na concentração de 0,1 mL/L até encontrar o efeito fungicida. Os principais compostos presentes no óleo essencial foram 1,8-cineol, isopulegol e citral. Os quimiotipos (MLU-005 e MLU-019) proporcionaram 100% de inibição do crescimento micelial para o fungo F. pallidoroseum a partir da concentração de 1,1 mL/L (Concentração Inibitória Mínima ­ CIM). Para o quimiotipo (MLU-022), a melhor concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) foi de 0,3 mL/L. Para F. solani, os óleos essenciais dos quimiotipos (MLU-005 e MLU-019) apresentaram CIM nas concentrações de 7,0 e 5,0 mL/L, respectivamente. O óleo essencial do quimiotipo (MLU-022) apresentou CFM de 0,6 mL/L. Observou-se CIM diferenciado para os três quimiotipos estudados para o fungo C. musae, variando entre 0,4 mL/L, para o quimiotipo (MLU-005); 0,5 mL/L, para o quimiotipo (MLU-022); e 0,7 mL/L, para o quimiotipo (MLU-019). O quimiotipo MLU-005 apresentou o melhor CFM, 0,5 mL/L. Os compostos majoritários testados separadamente apresentaram melhores valores de CIM frente aos seus quimiotipos, exceto o composto 1,8-cineol, que apresentou menor inibição do crescimento micelial para os três fungos testados, sugerindo que o perfil químico ou a presença de algum outro composto no óleo essencial pode estar atuando na inibição do crescimento dos três fungos estudados. O composto isopulegol proporcionou menor CFM para o fungo C. musae (0,4517 mL/L) em relação aos fungos F. pallidoroseum e F. solani, para os quais apresentou CFM de 0,4927 mL/L. O composto citral proporcionou um menor CFM sobre o fungo C. musae (0,1668 mL/L), em relação aos demais fungos testados. Os óleos essenciais de quimiotipos de M. lundiana e seus compostos majoritários apresentaram potencial para o controle dos fitopatógenos estudados, podendo ser considerados como uma alternativa para a agricultura, uma vez que em concentrações mais baixas apresentaram efeito inibitório e fungicida frente a estes organismos.

Activity of essential oils of Lippia alba chemotypes and their major monoterpenes against phytopathogenic fungi / Atividade dos óleos essenciais de quimiotipos de Lippia alba e seus monoterpenos majoritários sob fungos fitopatogênicos

This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the essential oils of L. alba belonging to the carvone chemotype (LA-13 and LA-57) and the citral chemotype (LA-10, LA-29, and LA-44); the carvone enantiomers (R)-(-)-carvone and (S)-(+)-carvone; and citral on phytopathogenic fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae (LT), Fusarium pallidoroseum (FP) and Fusarium solani (FS). Concentrations of 0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.5 and 1.0 mL/100 mL were tested, and the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (MGI) was calculated after 96h in relation to the control. Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimal Fungicide Concentrations (MFC) were obtained for essential oils and compounds. From the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL, all the accessions and carvone enantiomers were effective against the fungus LT, except the accession LA-44, for which the maximum inhibition occurred from the concentration of 0.3 mL/100 mL. Citral was the most effective compound against LT, with 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.05 mL /100 mL. All accessions and enantiomers caused 100% of MGI against FP fungus from the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL. Once again, citral stood out by providing the same result as the other treatments from the concentration of 0.1 mL/100 mL. Considering the fungus FS, carvone enantiomers and citral caused 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.1 mL/100 mL while all accessions caused 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL. Citral and carvone enantiomers presented the lowest MIC values (0.1 mL/100 mL) against FS fungus. The MIC of citral for LT and FP were not determined at the concentrations tested. (R)-(-)-carvone enantiomer presented the lowest MIC (0.1 mL/100 mL) for the LT fungus. Most of the other accessions presented MIC of 0.2 mL/100 mL for the three fungi. In relation to the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), citral stood out with values from 0.05 mL/100 mL (LT). Citral and carvone presented the same MFC for FS (0.2 mL / 100 mL). The other accessions showed MFC values from 0.3 mL/100 mL for the three fungi. Essential oils of L. alba accessions, carvone enantiomers, and citral were efficient in phytopathogen control and could be considered as an alternative to fungicides for presenting inhibitory and fungicidal effect against these microorganisms at low concentrations.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antifúngica in vitro de óleos essenciais de Lippia alba pertencentes ao quimiotipo carvona (LA-13 e LA-57) e ao quimiotipo citral (LA-10, LA-29 e LA-44); dos enantiômeros da carvona: (R)-(-)-carvona e (S)-(+)-carvona; e do citral sobre os fungos fitopatogênicos Lasiodiplodia theobromae (LT), Fusarium pallidoroseum (FP) e Fusarium solani (FS). Foram testadas as concentrações 0,01; 0,05; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,5 e 1,0 mL/100 mL, e, após 96h de incubação, a porcentagem de inibição do crescimento micelial (ICM) foi calculada em relação ao controle. Foram determinadas as Concentrações Inibitórias Mínimas (CIM) e Fungicidas Mínimas (CFM) para os óleos essenciais e compostos. A partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL todos os acessos e os enantiômeros da carvona foram efetivos contra LT, exceto o acesso LA-44, que proporcionou máxima inibição a partir da concentração de 0,3 mL/100 mL. O monoterpeno citral foi o mais efetivo contra LT, pois a partir da concentração de 0,05 mL /100 mL, 100% de ICM foi observada. Todos os acessos e enantiômeros da carvona causaram 100% de ICM contra o fungo FP, a partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL. Novamente, o composto citral de destacou por causar máxima ICM a partir da concentração de 0,1 mL/100 mL. Contra o fungo FS, os enantiômeros da carvona e o citral causaram 100% de ICM a partir da concentração de 0,1 mL/100 mL, enquanto os acessos proporcionaram mesmos resultados a partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL. O citral e os enantiômeros da carvona apresentaram os menores valores de CIM (0,1 mL/100 mL) frente ao FS. Não foi possível determinar a CIM do citral para LT e FP nas concentrações testadas. O enantiômero (R)-(-)-carvone apresentou a menor CIM (0,1 mL/100 mL) para o fungo LT. Os acessos apresentaram CIM a partir de 0,2 mL/100 mL para os três fungos. Em relação à concentração fungicida mínima (CFM), o citral se destacou com a menor CFM (0,05 mL/100 mL) para LT. Citral e carvonas apresentaram a mesma CFM para FS (0,2 mL / 100 mL). Os acessos apresentaram CFM a partir de 0,3 mL/100 mL para os três fungos. Os óleos essenciais dos acessos de L. alba, e os monoterpenos carvona e o citral foram eficientes no controle dos fungos fitopatogênicos e são considerados como uma alternativa em relação aos fungicidas sintéticos por apresentarem efeitos inibitórios e fungicidas contra esses microorganismos quando utilizados em baixas concentrações.

Seasonality on the antifungal potential of green propolis collected in Campo Grande - MS, Brazil / Sazonalidade sobre o potencial antifúngico da própolis verde coletada em Campo Grande -MS

ABSTRACT: Apis melífera L. propolis is a resinous and balsamic material whose biological effects are related to its chemical composition. This chemical composition is greatly influenced by seasonality, so propolis from different seasons and regions has a different chemical composition. The increasing need for natural options to control fungi that cause damage to food crops makes propolis an alternative that deserves more research. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of seasonality on the antifungal potential of propolis collected in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, on the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae . Effects of different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of green propolis on the mycelial growth of the pathogen were evaluated. Concentrations of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the samples were also determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results showed that the propolis extracts have a different chemical composition, potential fungi static effects on the tested fungus, and that there is interference of seasonality on the mycelial growth of the fungus, pointing to the concentration of 1250µg 100mL-1of the samples collected in the summer, in a first moment, as the most efficient.

RESUMO: A própolis da Apis mellifera L. é um material resinoso e balsâmico, cujos efeitos biológicos estão relacionados a sua composição química, e esta, sofre grande interferência da florada e da sazonalidade. Por isso, o própolis de regiões diferentes possuem composição química diferente. A busca crescente por opções naturais no controle de fungos que causam danos às culturas de alimentos torna a própolis uma alternativa a ser pesquisada. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da sazonalidade sobre potencial antifúngico da própolis verde coletada em Campo Grande - MS sobre o fungo Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes concentrações dos extratos etanólicos de própolis verde, coletadas em diferentes períodos do ano, sobre o crescimento micelial do fitopatógeno. Determinaram-se as concentrações de flavonoides e compostos fenólicos das amostras por meio de métodos espectrofotométricos. Os resultados demonstraram que os extratos de própolis verde possuem composição química diferente, potencial fungistático sobre o fungo testado, e que há interferência da sazonalidade no crescimento micelial do fungo, apontando para a concentração de 1250µg 100mL-1 das amostras coletadas no verão, em um primeiro momento, como a de maior eficiência.

First Report of Dieback Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Strawberry Plants in Korea

Dieback in strawberry (Seolhyang cultivar) was first observed during the nursery season (June to September) in the Nonsan area of Korea in the years 2012 and 2013. Initial disease symptoms included dieback on runners, as well as black rot on roots, followed by wilting and eventually blackened, necrotic discoloration in the crowns of daughter plants. A fungus isolated from the diseased roots, runners, and crowns is close to Lasiodiplodia theobromae based on morphological characteristics. Analysis of a combined dataset assembled from sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor 1-alpha genes grouped nine fungal isolates with the type strain of L. theobromae. The isolates showed strong pathogenicity on strawberry cultivars Kumhyang, Seolhyang, and Akihimae, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Based on these results, the pathogen responsible for dieback on strawberry plants in Korea was identified as L. theobromae.

Queratitis por Lasiodiplodia theobromae: comunicación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Keratitis by Lasiodiplodia theobromae: a case report and literature review

We report a case of mycotic keratitis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in a 60-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma with vegetable matter. Ophthalmological assessment with slit-lamp and microbiological evaluation of the corneal ulcer by conventional microbiological techniques were performed. Mycology study of the corneal scraping showed the presence of fungal filaments and the isolate was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Patient was treated with natamycin 5% and fluconazole 0.2% for 37 days. The infection was controlled but the corneal scars required a cornea transplant. This is the first case of keratitis by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Paraguay. Difficulties in the management of these cases, which often requires surgical procedures, are discussed.

Se presenta un caso clínico de queratitis causada por Lasiodiplodia theobromae en un agricultor de 60 años de edad, con antecedentes de un trauma ocular con un vegetal. Se realizó un examen oftalmológico con lámpara de hendidura y estudio microbiológico de la úlcera corneal por técnicas microbiológicas convencionales. El examen micológico del raspado corneal reveló la presencia de hifas septadas y el cultivo fue identificado como Lasiodiplodia theobromae. El paciente fue tratado con natamicina al 5% y fluconazol al 0,2% durante 37 días. La infección fue controlada, sin embargo, el paciente quedó con cicatrices corneales y con necesidad de trasplante. Es el primer caso de queratitis por Lasiodiplodia theobromae en Paraguay. Se discute la dificultad de manejo de estos casos que a menudo requieren procedimientos quirúrgicos y trasplante de córnea.

Effect of culture media and environmental factors on mycelial growth and pycnidial production of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in physic nut (Jatropha curcas ).

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is an important commercial bio-diesel plant species and is being advocated for development of waste and dry land. The collar and root rot caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is an important soil borne disease which causes considerable yield loss in this crop. In this study, the effects of culture media, temperature, photoperiod, carbon and nitrogen sources and pH on mycelial growth and pycnidial production were evaluated. Among the growth media tested, potato dextrose agar supported the highest growth followed by potato sucrose agar and corn meal agar. Among several carbon sources tested, carboxy methyl cellulose and sucrose were found superior for growth and pycnidial production. The nitrogen sources viz., ammonium oxalate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were recorded maximum mycelial growth and pycnidial production. The fungus grows at pH 5.0-9.0 and optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0.

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Crude Extracts Produced by Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Piper hispidum Sw.

Endophytic fungi inhabit the interior of plants without causing apparent harm to them and constitute an alternative for the control of human pathogens, since they can synthesize bioactive compounds. The plant Piper hispidum Sw. has several medicinal properties and harbors a diversity of endophytes. In this present study, four endophytic fungi from P. hispidum were used for obtaining crude ethyl acetate extracts that were tested against Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus, using cup plate technique. The obtainment resulted in crude ethyl acetate extracts with a final concentration between 19.9 and 61.4 mg/ml. the antibacterial tests presented satisfactory results, where the pathogenic bacteria were inhibited by the four extracts tested, except for E. hirae that was inhibited by two extracts. Means of inhibition halos ranged from 9.42±0.63 to 14.08±1.70 mm. Analysis of variance showed that the extract produced by endophyte Lasiodiplodia theobromae was the most effective against all bacteria except for S. typhi, which was more inhibited by the extract of an endophyte from Diaporthales order. Therefore, this study indicates that endophytes from medicinal plant P. hispidum could be potential sources of antibacterial substances, with emphasis on L. theobromae.

Phytochemical and antifungal activity of anthraquinones and root and leaf extracts of Coccoloba mollis on phytopathogens

The aim of this work was to study the phytochemical and antifungal activity of anthraquinones and root and leaf extracts of Coccoloba mollis on phytopathogens. The chemical analysis of ethanolic extracts showed a mixture of long-chain hydrocarbons, carboxyl esters and 3-taraxerone in the leaf extract. Two anthraquinones (emodin and physcion) were isolated and identified from the root extract. Phytochemical screening using the pharmacognostic methods revealed the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the leaves and roots. Anthraquinones were only found in the root extract, no alkaloids, coumarins, saponins and simple phenolics were present. The antifungal activity of C. mollis extracts and anthraquinones isolated from the root of this plant against Botryospheria ribis, B. rhodina, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium sp showed promising results for their use as fungicides, where emodin was the most active compound, which inhibited the microorganisms tested up to 44 percent.

Maxillary sinusitis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

Lasiodiplodia (monotypic) comprises a very small proportion of the fungal biota. It is a common plant pathogen in tropical and subtropical regions. Clinical reports on its association with onychomycosis, corneal ulcer and phaeohyphomycosis are available. However, Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing fungal sinusitis has not been reported. We present here a case of fungal sinusitis in a 30-year-old woman, who came to the ENT OPD (out patient department) with complaints of intermittent bleeding and nasal discharge from the left side for a week. The patient complained of headache, predominantly on the left side and heaviness on and off since two months. Diagnosis was based on radiological and mycological evidence; the patient underwent endoscopic surgery and was started on antifungal treatment.