Fungicidal activity of compounds extracted from the pericarp of Areca catechu against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro and in mango fruit

Areca catechu L., a member of the Palmaceae family, is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Compounds obtained from the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the pericarp of A. catechu L. were assessed in vitro and in mango fruit for antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. In vitro studies also indicated that three triterpenes, namely fernenol (fern-9(11)-en-3α-ol), arundoin (fern-9(11)-en-3α-ol ME), and a mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, and one fatty acid, lauric acid, could inhibit the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides with EC50 values of 36.7, 47.5, 56.7 and 111.5 mg L−1, respectively. Furthermore, fernenol, arundoin, and the mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol highly inhibited spore germination and germtube elongation. Mango fruit studies suggested that fernenol, arundoin and the mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were significantly more effective than benomyl for controlling postharvest anthracnose disease when used at 100 and 200 mg L−1.