Jacquelyn Lourdes F. Coronado, Univ Irgil U. Silva, Abbie Rose J. Yeban (March 2008)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which causes anthracnose, is known to infect a wide variety of hosts. Mango anthracnose is the most widespread and serious pre- and post harvest disease of mango. Medicinal plants serve as alternatives in treating various diseases in rural areas. Acapulco’s (Cassia alata) leaves or sap are used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. They contain a fungicide, chrysophanic acid. The effectiveness of this plant against skin diseases is confirmed by modern scientific studies. This study aimed to determined the antifungal reaction of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides to the Acapulco ( Cassia alata) leaf extracts. Based om the attempts, it was observed that the extracts did not inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum gloesporioides although the positive control, Armor, inhibited its growth. However no substantive result could be achieved because of the presence of contaminants. Maximum sterility should be ensured in order to prevent contamination. Different concentrations may be used in the next experiments to determine whether other concentrations of the methanol extracts of Acapulco (Cassia alata) can inhibit the growth of the fungus. The solvent used can also be changed because other chemicals can be substituted to dissolve the leaf extracts of Acapulco (Cassia alata).