Antifungal and phytotoxic activity of benzoic acid derivatives from inflorescences of Piper cumanense

Abstract

The Piperaceae family is recognized for its diverse biological properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, cytotoxic and insecticidal activities. Phytochemical investigation of inflorescences from P. cumanense led to the isolation and identification of a new 4-chromanone called oxocumanensic acid, along with five known benzoic acid derivatives. The antifungal activity was evaluated against six phytopathogenic fungi by a mycelium growth inhibition test. All compounds were active against the phytopathogenic fungi, showing a greater activity against fungi of Fusarium genus. Finally, phytotoxicity was evaluated in the extract and its chemical constituents, finding that the natural substances are less toxic than the positive control.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Piper cumanense
• Piperaceae
• benzoic acid derivatives
• chromanone
• phytotoxicity
• antifungal activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Universidad Nacional de Colombia.1] under Grant [QUIPU 201010028246]; [Colciencias.2] under Grant [009.2017]; [Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento para la Ciencia, la Tecnología y la Innovación, Francisco José de Caldas.3] under Grant [Contract No. 0459 –2013, RIFRUTBIO] and [CSIC.4] under Grant [CTQ2015-64049-C3-1-R (MINECO/FEDER, Spain)]