ISSN (Online): 3108-1584
Volume 2, Issue 1 - July 2026
This study investigated the fungicidal potential of ethanol extracts of Piper guineense seeds, Gongronema latifolium leaves, and Allium sativum rhizomes against postharvest rot of Colocasia esculenta (cocoyam) corms. Morphological and biochemical characterization of fungal isolates obtained from rotted cocoyam revealed the presence of seven pathogenic fungi: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Mucor circinelloides. Frequency of occurrence showed that A. flavus (30%) and A. niger (25%) were the most prevalent, while M. circinelloides (5%) was least frequent. Pathogenicity tests indicated that A. flavus and F. solani were highly virulent, producing lesion diameters greater than 50 mm, whereas other isolates showed moderate pathogenicity. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of plant extracts revealed significant levels of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins, with P. guineense showing the highest alkaloid content and G. latifolium exhibiting higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. GC–MS analysis identified several bioactive constituents including piperine, eugenol, limonene, phytol, squalene, and sulfur-containing compounds such as diallyl disulfide and allicin, known for their antifungal properties. Antifungal evaluation showed that G. latifolium exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (12.5 mg/mL) against several isolates, followed by A. sativum while P. guineense the least required relatively higher concentrations. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) results further confirmed the superior fungicidal efficacy of G. latifolium and A. sativum. Molecular identification through DNA sequencing and purification confirmed the identity of the fungal isolates and supported morphological classification, ensuring accuracy in pathogen identification. The study demonstrates that these plant extracts, particularly G. latifolium and Allium sativum, possess potent antifungal properties and can serve as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides in controlling postharvest rot of cocoyam.
Antifungal, Biochemical compounds, Inhibitory, Plants extract
Ejimofor Chiamaka Frances, Nnamdi Nwakoby Enoch, "Fungicidal potentials of Piper Guineese seed, Gongronema latifolium leaf and Allium sativum rhizome extract on post harvest rot of Colocasia esculenta", Cosmo Research & Science International Journal, vol. Jul-25, no. 1, pp. 118-146, 2026.
Ejimofor Chiamaka Frances, Nnamdi Nwakoby Enoch (2026). Fungicidal potentials of Piper Guineese seed, Gongronema latifolium leaf and Allium sativum rhizome extract on post harvest rot of Colocasia esculenta. Cosmo Research & Science International Journal, Jul-25(1), 118-146.
Ejimofor Chiamaka Frances, Nnamdi Nwakoby Enoch. "Fungicidal potentials of Piper Guineese seed, Gongronema latifolium leaf and Allium sativum rhizome extract on post harvest rot of Colocasia esculenta." Cosmo Research & Science International Journal, vol. Jul-25, no. 1, 2026, pp. 118-146.
@article{CRSIJ26000241,
author = {Ejimofor Chiamaka Frances, Nnamdi Nwakoby Enoch},
title = {Fungicidal potentials of Piper Guineese seed, Gongronema latifolium leaf and Allium sativum rhizome extract on post harvest rot of Colocasia esculenta},
journal = {Cosmo Research and Science International Journal},
year = {2025},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {118-146},
issn = {3108-1584},
url = {https://cosmorsij.com/published/CRSIJ26000241.pdf},
abstract = {This study investigated the fungicidal potential of ethanol extracts of Piper guineense seeds, Gongronema latifolium leaves, and Allium sativum rhizomes against postharvest rot of Colocasia esculenta (cocoyam) corms. Morphological and biochemical characterization of fungal isolates obtained from rotted cocoyam revealed the presence of seven pathogenic fungi: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Mucor circinelloides. Frequency of occurrence showed that A. flavus (30%) and A. niger (25%) were the most prevalent, while M. circinelloides (5%) was least frequent. Pathogenicity tests indicated that A. flavus and F. solani were highly virulent, producing lesion diameters greater than 50 mm, whereas other isolates showed moderate pathogenicity. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of plant extracts revealed significant levels of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins, with P. guineense showing the highest alkaloid content and G. latifolium exhibiting higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. GC–MS analysis identified several bioactive constituents including piperine, eugenol, limonene, phytol, squalene, and sulfur-containing compounds such as diallyl disulfide and allicin, known for their antifungal properties. Antifungal evaluation showed that G. latifolium exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (12.5 mg/mL) against several isolates, followed by A. sativum while P. guineense the least required relatively higher concentrations. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) results further confirmed the superior fungicidal efficacy of G. latifolium and A. sativum. Molecular identification through DNA sequencing and purification confirmed the identity of the fungal isolates and supported morphological classification, ensuring accuracy in pathogen identification. The study demonstrates that these plant extracts, particularly G. latifolium and Allium sativum, possess potent antifungal properties and can serve as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides in controlling postharvest rot of cocoyam.},
keywords = {Antifungal, Biochemical compounds, Inhibitory, Plants extract},
month = {July}
}