Antimicrobial Properties and Phytochemical Analysis of Methanolic Extracts of Aframomum Melegueta and Zingiber Officinale on Fungal Diseases of Tomato Fruit

Abstract

The antimicrobial properties of methanolic extracts of Aframomum melegueta seeds and rhizomes of Zingiber officinale were investigated on Helminthosporium solani, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum and Mucor piriformis isolated from tomato. This research was undertaken to control the growth of these rot fungi in vitro. Extracts at various concentrations ranging from 0-30% were separately added to PDA media. The plates were inoculated separately with the fungal isolates. Effects of these extracts on mycelial growth of the fungi were highly significant (P < 0.05) for all treatments. Z. officinale extract at 25% and A. melegueta at 30% concentration gave complete inhibition. Phytochemical analyses of extracts revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, steroids, tarpenes, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The presence of these compounds supports the use of the extracts as antimicrobial agents which can prolong the shelf–life of fresh tomato fruits.

Keywords: Antimicrobial properties, Extract, Phytochemicals, Aframomum melegueta, Zingiber officinale.