Antifungal activity of Curcuma longa and Bambusa edulis extracts against pathogenic fungal of oil palm diseases, Aspergillus spp. (STRAIN AG1) / Mohamad Naim Ahmad Fuad

Management of oil palm diseases is essential, as Malaysia is the largest palm oil producer. As to date, prevention technique mainly relies on the application of chemical drugs. Unfortunately, chemicals-based method results in negative impacts toward environment. In this study, attempt has been done to search antifungal activity from extraction of Curcuma longa and Bambusa edulis as potential biological treatments. Determination of the antifungal activity in C. longa and B. edulis extracts was done against fungal pathogen, which previously isolated from seed palm oil disease. Identification of this pathogen is confirmed via morphological characteristics and strain AG1 is proposed to be Aspergillus spp. Based on antifungal activity test, C. longa and B. edulis has the ability to supress the growth of Aspergillus species (strain AG1). It was found that extract of C. longa recorded the highest holozone diameter compared to extract of B. edulis. Water extract from both sources was found not effective to halt Aspergillus sp. (strain AG1) growth. Degree of holozone produced from highest to the lesser are ethanol extract of C. longa > ethanol extract of B. edulis > water extract of C longa and B. edulis. However, based on statistical analysis using sample t-test in SPSS, no significant difference (p>0.05) were observed. Therefore, future study should be done to further examine the concentration of extract applied during treatments. In conclusion, ethanol extract of C. longa has a potential to be used as antifungal agent to biologically treat the seed palm oil diseases.