In vitro antifungal activity of flavonoid diglycosides of Mentha piperita and their oxime derivatives against two cereals fungi

Flavonoids due to their various interesting biological properties such as antifungal activity were investigated in Mentha piperita leaves. The butanolic fraction obtained from the hydro-alcoholic crude extract of M. piperita is rich in flavonoids; it reduced in vitro the mycelium growth of Phoma sorghina and Fusarium moniliforme around 72% and 55%, respectively, when used at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. In addition, the chemical conversion of the flavonoids in the butanolic fraction into their oxime derivatives increased the antifungal activity since the percentage of inhibition increased to 84% and 65% against P. sorghina and F. moniliforme, respectively, at 5 mg/ml. Butanolic fraction and oxime inhibition effects on spore germination of the two fungi were also observed. These results suggest that, M. piperita flavonoids could be used as botanical fungicides to protect cereals against infection from P. sorghina and F. moniliforme.