Antifungal Activities of Five Commercial Extracts Against Alternaria alternate

The inhibitory effects of five commercial extracts (Allium sativum, Chamaemelum nobile, Thymus vulgaris, Zingiber officinale and Ricinus communis) against Alternaria alternata were tested three concentrations (2.5, 5, 12.5 µl/ml) in vitro. T. vulgaris and R.communis extracts both exhibited the most effective antifungal activity against A. alternate with diameter of inhibition zones of 54 mm. The C. nobile extract exhibited a lower degree of inhibition 24.5 to 45 mm at three concentrations. The antifungal indices of T. vulgaris and R.communis extracts at three concentrations against A. alternata were all 98.14%, while this of C. nobile extract was 43.52% at 12.5 µl/ml. The results show that the five commercial extracts have potential for the development of natural antifungal agents, which could be an alternative to chemicals for control of phytopathogenic fungi on fruits or vegetables.