Macroscopic and microscopic study of antifungal effects of alkaloids, phenol and essential oil of Fumaria vaillantii on Aspergillus flavus and A. niger

Fumaria vaillantii belongs to the Fumariaceae family, is a plant rich in secondary compounds with medicinal effects. Alkaloids, phenols and essential oil were extracted to measure antifungal activity. Crude extract with ethanol was obtained from plant shoots. Crude extract was used to separate the alkaloid and phenol fractions. Alkaloids were extracted in four fractions. The essential oil was extracted with a Clevenger apparatus. Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were prepared from Pasture Institute in Iran. Aspergillus specimens (disc diameter 5 mm) were cultured in the potato dextrose agar media with different amounts of phenolic, alkaloid and essential oil extracts. Aspergillus hyphae were studied under control and after treatment with phenolic, alkaloid and essential oil extracts by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The anti- Aspergillus effects of the phenolic, alkaloid and essential oil extracts of F. vaillantii against A. flavus, and A. niger were severe. Two concentrations of all three extracts inhibited fungal growth. The results of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the F. vaillantii extracts affected on the fungus cell structure. They cause thinning and breaking of walls, plasmolysis and vesiculation of cells of some filaments, inhibiting the growth and induction of fungal death. Phenolic, alkaloid extracts and essential oils of F. vaillantii had similar antifungal activity on both species of Aspergillus. F. vaillantii, is a plant rich in phenolic compounds, alkaloids and essential oils with antifungal effects.