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A saponin isolated from Agapanthus africanus differentially induces apoplastic peroxidase activity in wheat and displays fungicidal properties

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Abstract

A spirostane with an attached trisaccharide, (25R)-5α-spirostane-2α,3β,5α-triol 3-O-(O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 3))-β-d-glucopyranoside), was isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Agapanthus africanus by activity-guided fractionation. Fungicidal properties of the crude extract, semi-purified fractions as well as the purified active saponin from A. africanus were screened in vitro against Fusarium oxysporum. At a concentration of 1 mg mL−1, the crude extract and semi-purified ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions showed significant antifungal activity. The purified saponin inhibited the in vitro mycelial growth of F. oxysporum completely (100 %) at a concentration of 125 µg mL−1. Furthermore, to verify previously observed induced resistance by crude extracts of A. africanus towards leaf rust, intercellular PR-protein activity was determined in wheat seedlings following foliar application of the purified saponin at 100 µg mL−1. In vitro peroxidase enzyme activity increased significantly (60 %) in wheat seedlings 48 h after treatment with the purified saponin, demonstrating its role as an elicitor to activate a defence reaction in wheat.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support by the South African National Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Maria E. Cawood & Johan C. Pretorius

  2. Directorate: Research Development, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Jan H. van der Westhuizen

  3. School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Fanie R. van Heerden

Authors
  1. Maria E. Cawood
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  2. Johan C. Pretorius
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  3. Jan H. van der Westhuizen
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  4. Fanie R. van Heerden
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Correspondence to Maria E. Cawood.

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Communicated by E. Schleiff.

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Cawood, M.E., Pretorius, J.C., van der Westhuizen, J.H. et al. A saponin isolated from Agapanthus africanus differentially induces apoplastic peroxidase activity in wheat and displays fungicidal properties. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 246 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1992-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1992-7

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