Modulation of the activity of chitinases and β-1,3 glucanase in seedlings of cucumber and chilli by the aqueous extract of Cleistanthus collinus

Present paper reports induction of chitinases and β-1,3 glucanase in cucumber and chilli by the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Azadirachta indica and Cleistanthus collinus. Efficacy of these extracts to induce the activity of chitinases and β-1,3 glucanase was concentration dependent. Similarly, magnitude of the enzyme activities also depended on the crop species and seedling part. Besides induction of enzyme activity, the extract of C. collinus and its fraction eluted with 90% methanol over silica gel 60-120 column modulated the expression of chitinase and β-1,3 glucanase isoforms. Phytochemical characterization of the extract of C. collinus and its 90% methanol fraction revealed several bioactive secondary metabolites, which might be active in influencing the activity of chitinases and β-1,3 glucanase.