The Effect of Fungi Associated with Leaf Blight of Solanum Aethiopicum L
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atholog P y & nt a M l i P c f r o o b l Ibiam and Nwigwe, J Plant Pathol Microb 2013, 4:7 i Journal of a o l n o r g u DOI: 10.4172/2157-7471.1000191 y o J ISSN: 2157-7471 Plant Pathology & Microbiology Research Article Open Access The Effect of Fungi Associated with Leaf Blight of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the Field on the Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of the Leaves and Fruits of the Plant Ibiam OFA* and Nwigwe I Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria Abstract The leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the field was investigated for possible isolation and identification of fungi associated with leaf-spot disease of the plant. The nutrients and phytochemical contents of the apparently healthy fruits and leaves and the infected leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. were determined. Determined also is the effect of the disease on the nutrient and phyto-chemical content of the leaves. Results showed that Sclerotium rolfsii was isolated from the blighted leaves of Solanum aethiopicum L. The apparently healthy leaves had the highest amount of protein and carbohydrates, while the infected leaves had the least amount. Vitamin C and fibre contents were the highest in the apparently healthy fruit, but least in the infected leaves. The phosphate and phosphorus concentrations were the highest in the infected leaves than in healthy ones. The concentration of Na and Mn in infected leaves was higher than in apparently healthy fruit and leaves, whereas the Ca concentration in apparently healthy leaves was higher those in apparently healthy fruits and infected leaves. Nitrates and Nitrogen were in apparently healthy leaves and fruits than infected leaves.. The results of the nutrient content of apparently healthy leaves, fruits and the infected leaves have a significant difference (P<0.05). The levels of alkaloids and flavonoids were highest in the apparently healthy leaves than in apparently healthy fruits and infected leaves. The levels of Saponins were higher in the apparently healthy fruits, followed by those of apparently healthy leaves and least in the infected leaves. The infected leaves had the highest level of cytogenic glycosides, while the apparently healthy leaves and fruits had the same levels of the compound. The levels of these phytochemicals in the three samples of Solanum aethiopicum L. used in the study had no significant difference (P>0.05). Keywords: Fungi; Leaf blight; Nutrient; Phytochemical-composition; results in scurvy with swelling of the joints and gums, loosening of Solanum aethiopicum L the teeth and haemorrhages of the skin and mucous membranes [8]. Calories in eggplants are very low; one cup of eggplant could give 20 Introduction calories, thereby making them ideal components of low fat diets [9]. Solanum aethiopicum L. is a delicacy in the Eastern part of Nigeria. The dietary fibers help lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol in the The immature fruits ofSolanum aethiopicum L. are used as cooked blood [10]. Moreover, since the fat content is less, they are excellent vegetables in stews and sometimes eaten raw. The leaves and shoots food for weight loss diets, as eggplants are nutrient dense food and help are used as cooked vegetables. Igbo people of South-Eastern Nigeria people feel full, thereby preventing over-eating, and Obese people love traditionally welcome visitors by offering the fruits. The leaves are eggplant nutrition and its low sodium diet is beneficial to hypertensive eaten as leafy vegetables and are actually more nutritious than the patients [11]. fruit. The fruits are usually harvested while still green, before the skin becomes thick. They are picked from the same plants that provide the The highly soluble minerals such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium fruit or form special leafy cultivars. Fruits of bitter cultivars are used (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Iron (Fe) and Potassium (K), help in the as medicine in many African countries [1]. Medicinal applications maintenance of acid-base balance of the hydrogen ion concentration include the use of the roots and fruits as a carminative and sedative, of the body tissues, and also help complete the absorption of vitamins, and to treat coelic problems and high blood pressure, leaf juice as a proteins, fats and carbohydrates of food [12]. Ca and Fe furnish all sedative to treat uterine complaints, an alcoholic extract of leaves as a the cells and tissues of the body with the elements and nutritional sedative, anti-emetic and to treat tetanus after abortion, and crushed enzymes which they need; and the higher Calcium contents of Solanum and macerated fruits as an enema [2]. Some cultivars (Aculoatum aethiopicum L., suggests that they would be more advantageous to group) are occasionally used as a rootstock for tomato and eggplant [3]. Mueller et al. [4] reported that saponins contribute largely to the foam that rises to the top of the pot when you boil garden eggs, and should *Corresponding author: Ibiam OFA, Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria, E-mail: be carefully skimmed off. Stemphylium disease ofSolanum aethiopicum [email protected] was caused by Stemphylium solani [5]. Received July 07, 2013; Accepted July 28, 2013; Published August 04, 2013 As a traditional food plant in Africa, this little known vegetable Citation: Ibiam OFA, Nwigwe I (2013) The Effect of Fungi Associated with Leaf has a potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural Blight of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the Field on the Nutrient and Phytochemical development and support sustainable land care [6]. S. aethiopicum L Composition of the Leaves and Fruits of the Plant. J Plant Pathol Microb 4: 191 doi:10.4172/2157-7471.1000191 is a wonderful source of potassium, manganese, copper, dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, niacin, vitamin B , B , C and K (in very small Copyright: © 2013 Ibiam OFA, et al. This is an open-access article distributed 1 2 under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits quantities) [7]. Ascorbic acid is essential for the healthy formation unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the of the bones and teeth and a powerful antioxidant whose deficiency original author and source are credited. J Plant Pathol Microb ISSN:2157-7471 JPPM, an open access journal Volume 4 • Isse 7 • 1000191 Citation: Ibiam OFA, Nwigwe I (2013) The Effect of Fungi Associated with Leaf Blight of Solanum aethiopicum L. in the Field on the Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of the Leaves and Fruits of the Plant. J Plant Pathol Microb 4: 191 doi:10.4172/2157-7471.1000191 Page 2 of 5 the body in the functions associated with the minerals as Calcium is required for bone and teeth formation and in the proper functioning of the nervous system [4]. Potassium is required in muscles and nerve functions [13]. According to Olaiya and Adebisi [14], Phosphorus is important in the energy transfer of nucleic acids, its value ranging from 1.83 mg/100 g, and Iron is important in the formation hemoglobin of the blood. The vegetable Solanum aethipicum L is very low in carbohydrates, fats and proteins and therefore contribute very little to the energy values of a meal [15]. The fruits of Solanum aethipicum L. are known for possessing a diverse range of alkaloids, for example, tropane alkaloids [8] and these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both, though they presumably evolved because they reduce the tendency of animals to eat the plants [6]. Some work has been done on the diseases of the crop and the proximate and phytochemical analysis of the crop. However, no work has been done on the effect of pathogen on the food value of the leaves. Hence, this work is aimed at isolation and identification of the fungi associated with the leaf blight disease in the field, determination of Figure 2: Mature leaves of Solanium aethiopicum showing symptoms of leaf phytochemical and nutrient composition of the fruits and the effect of blight. the fungi on the nutrient and phytochemical composition of the leaves. Nutrients A H F A H L I L Materials and Methods concentrations (%) concentrations (%) concentrations (%) mean ± SD mean ± SD mean ± SD The apparently healthy fruits, leaf and the infected leaf ofSolanum Moisture 47.898 ± 0.04 49.094 ± 0.01 63.44 ± 0.024 aethiopicum L. used in the study were obtained from Ugwulangwu in Ash 1.978 ± 0.04 0.930 ± 0.003 0.948 ± 0.001 Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State of Nigeria. The sample of the apparently Lipid 6.57 ± 0.02 1.39 ± 0.01 4.20 ± 0.01 healthy fruits and leaves were at their mature and greenish stage when CHO 8.866 ± 0.002 13.409 ± 0.001 6.846 ± 0.02 they were collected. The symptoms of on the infected leaves were at Protein 7.04 ± 0.02 8.78 ± 0.014 6.55 ± 0.022 their late stage when infected leaves were collected. Figure 1 represents Fibre 27.65 ± 0.1 26.40 ± 0.01 18.02 ± 0.03 a picture of apparently healthy farm of the plant showing apparently Vitamin C Concentrations Conc. (mg/100 g) Conc. (mg/100 g) healthy leaves and fruits and infected leaves. Figure 2 represent infected (mg/100 g) 235.51 ± 0.25 188.59 ± 0.01 leaves with the symptoms. 259.88 ± 0.18 (P<0.05) Fcal 9.74>Ftab 3.00 Methods of isolation A H F=apparently healthy fruits of Solanum aethiopicum The direct method of isolation of fungal pathogens was used. The A H L=apparently healthy leaves of Solanum aethiopicum I L=infected leaves of Solanum aethiopicum plant materials (fruits and leaves) were each cleaned to remove soils or Table 1: Proximate composition of the apparently healthy fruits, leaves, and the dirt’s by passing them over running water, washed with several changes infected leaves of Solanum aethiopicum.