Antifungal, Antiradical and Insecticidal Activities of Some Grass Species

Poaceae is one of the economically important plant families and include monocotyledonous flowering
plants designated as grasses. The grasses are useful as food, fodder, sources of essential oils,
construction tools and medicine. In the present study, we evaluated antifungal, antiradical and
insecticidal activity of extracts of grass species namely Paspalum conjugatum P.J.Bergius,
Oplismenus compositus (L.) P.Beauv., Capillipedium huegelii (Hack.) A.Camus and Echinochloa
colona (L.) Link. Extraction of shade dried plant materials were carried out by maceration process
using methanol. Antifungal activity was evaluated by Poisoned food technique against two seed-borne
fungi viz. Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. The extracts were effective in causing considerable
suppression of sporulation in addition to mycelial growth. Antiradical activity was determined by DPPH
free radical scavenging assay. The extracts were effective in scavenging radicals in dose dependent
manner. Insecticidal activity was evaluated against II instar larvae of Aedes species. At tested
concentration, the extracts caused 100% mortality of larvae. The grasses appear to be promising
resources for the development of formulations that can be used against phytopathogenic fungi,
oxidative damage, and vectors that transmit dreadful diseases. Purification of active principles from
crude extracts and their bioactivity determinations are to be carried out.