Antimycotic activity of 5′-prenylisoflavanones of the plant Geoffroea decorticans, against Aspergillus species

The antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract (EE), (3R)-5,7,2′,3′-tetrahydroxy-4′-methoxy-5′-prenylisoflavanone (1) and (3R)-7-2′-3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxy-5′-prenylisoflavanone (2) isolated from Geoffroea decorticans was evaluated against four different species of Aspergillus. Their effect was compared with that displayed by synthetic products. The antifungal activity was assayed by bioautography, hyphal radial growth, hyphal extent and microdilution in liquid medium. The percentage of hyphal radial growth inhibition produced by EE varied between 18.4 ± 0.1 and 39.6 ± 0.2 for Aspergillus nomius VSC23 and Aspergillus nomius 13137, respectively; and the same value for 1 and 2 were between 31.2 ± 0.1–60.8 ± 1.5 and 28.9 ± 0.7–57.2 ±0.6 for Aspergillus flavus (IEV 018) and Aspergillus nomius 13137, respectively. The values of MIC/MFC determined for EE, 1 and 2 were compared with the actions of ascorbic and sorbic acids, and clotrimazole. The sequence of antifungal potency was clotrimazole > 1 > 2 > ascorbic acid > sorbic acid > EE. Consequently, EE as well as the purified substances from Geoffroea decorticans would be used as biopesticides against Aspergillus species. The cytotoxicity was evaluated.