Bioprospection of solanaceous (Solanaceae) with fungitoxic activity against Moniliophthora perniciosa

Abstract

Brazil had been ahead of the cocoa export market, but nowadays only occupies the sixth position. The main reason for the world Brazilian decline is attributed to the phytopathogen fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, responsible for the disease of cacao, witches' broom. The present methods of this disease control are costly or have some risk to the ecosystem, which demand need to search for more alternatives. Earlier studies by our research group demonstrated the efficiency of a compound isolated from the leaves and fruits of Solanum Lycopersicum, with antifungal activity in vitro against M. perniciosa. The literature reports that different secondary metabolites of Solanaceae have antifungal activity. Since Brazil has the greatest biodiversity of plants on the planet, it is also considered as a promising source in the search for compounds that show some bioactivity of agronomic interest, an area little explored by the scientific community. Therefore, this study aims to explore the biological potential and chemical of secondary metabolites produced by plants of the Solanaceae family that have antifungal activity against M. perniciosa. For this, solanaceous species that, after the collection in the field, will be selected, will have their extracts and / or pure fractions obtained from leaves, and biologically evaluated their antifungal activity, it will be also chemically analyzed.