In vitro Antifusarial Activity of a Tar Extracted from the Juniperus phoenicea L. Wild in Southwest of Algeria

Abstract

The biological activities of medicinal plants have been recognized for centuries. Among them, Juniperus phoenicea is very commonly used for its medicinal virtues (respiratory, hepatic and renal infections). Its wood is used for heating and manufacture of coal and its vegetable tar is used to treat certain cases of eczema. The aim of the present study is focused on the evaluation of the in vitro antifungal activity of a tar extracted from Juniperus phoenicea L. The physicochemical analysis was performed first; then, the evaluation of antifusarial activity of the Juniperus phoenicea L. was carried out by using the dilution and the direct contact method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results of the physicochemical analysis show a density value of 1.10, a refraction index of about 1.5112, an acid pH (4.02) and the dries matter ratio of 36, 34% for the tested tar. The antifungal activity of the tar under study against six strains of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (FOA; S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) revealed that Juniperus phoenicea L. tar has a great antifungal activity against all the investigated strains. The antifungal activity results reveal that the fungal growth was inhibited by the tar. S3 proved to be the most sensitive strain with a minimal inhibition concentration value of 0.006 mg/ml. The present study indicates that Juniperus phoenicea L. tar has antifungal activity against the different tested fungal strains.