Fungicidal potential of methoxylated flavones from citrus for in vitro control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causal agent of anthracnose disease in tropical fruits.

Four polymethoxylated flavones (3,5,6,7,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone, 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone, 5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone and 5,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone) were isolated and characterized from cold-pressed orange oil. Their antifungal activities were evaluated against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz) Penz & Sacc, a major plant pathogen of fruits that causes significant damage to crops in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. Methoxylated flavones were effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of the fungus. As flavone concentration increased, mycelial growth decreased. 5,6,7,8,3',4'-Hexamethoxyflavone completely inhibited the growth of Cgloeosporioides at a concentration of 100 microg ml(-1).