Antifungal Activity of Mucuna pruriens Seed Extractives and L-dopa

Abstract

The seeds of Mucuna pruriens (L.) D.C. (Leguminosae) were extracted first with hexane, then with ethyl acetate, and finally with methanol. The solvents were removed to get the respective extractives. These were assessed for the mycelial growth inhibition of three phytopathogenic fungi—Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum capsici, and Fusarium solani—by the poisoned-food technique. Methanol extractive showed highest activity against all the three test organisms. L-dopa [3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine], which was qualitatively detected in the ethyl acetate and methanol extractives and quantitatively assessed in the seeds, showed antifungal activity against all the three test organisms, showing that it is one of the active principles in these extractives.