LAUSR

It is known that cell extracts of various algae have antifungal activity against microorganisms in vitro. Antifungal activities of Ulva lactuca , Chlorella vulgaris , Chlorella minutissima , and Chlorella protothecoides were investigated against: Aspergillus niger , Alternaria alternata , and Penicillium expansum fungi to present their fungicide potentials. Aspergillus niger , Alternaria sp., and Penicillium expansum are typical soft-rotting fungi and cause important loss of apple fruit in the storage. In vitro antifungal activity was evaluated by agar disc diffusion assay against pathogenic apple rot fungi. As a result, almost all of the extracts obtained from algae species were revealed to have antifungal activity against selected fungal pathogens. Free radical-scavenging activity of the extracts was determined with 1,1-diphenyl-2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging method. Extract of C. protothecoides was determined to have a stronger antioxidant activity than other algae extracts. This study reveals that the potential of algae should be investigated for the production of natural fungicide for pharmaceutical and food industries.