Antifungal Activity of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Crude

Extract Against Rice Blast Fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)
Victor Orlando Ocampo II1, Eric Conrad Panga III2, Noev Clark Saldivar3
Melanie Ara M. Callaotit4, Orcene D. Cancino5
ABSTRACT
The research was conducted in order to determine if lemongrass extract (Cymbopogon
citratus) possessed antifungal properties against rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) fungi. The
study also involved the analysis of the active compounds found in lemongrass that causes
antifungal activity. A phytochemical review of the extract, as well as a systematic review
of literature, was conducted in order to determine if the bioactive compounds present in
the lemongrass extract were comparable in terms of fungal inhibition with commercial
fungicides. Out of the identified chemical compounds, phenols, alkaloids, and tannins were
identified to be the source of antifungal activity. The systematic review revealed that
lemongrass extract is a viable alternative to commercial fungicide at higher concentrations.
Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus crude extract; Magnaporthe oryzae; Antifungal activity
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METHODOLOGY, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION,
and REFERENCES.
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INTRODUCTION If this will be more than one line, consider the hanging
indent just like the format in references.
The Philippines is one of the leading nations in rice production and is among several The font size is 12.
countries that have rice as a staple diet; as such, it is highly dependent on the local rice Commented [O5]: This is the first section. All caps but
industry (Arnaoudov, 2015). However, rice disease fungi like blast pose a major threat to NOT bold face.
rice production, both globally and in the Philippines. The agricultural community is Three spaces before, 1 space after.
conducting several studies that aim to mitigate the damaging effects of blast through
scientific developments (Nalley, 2016).

Although it is usually harvested for its essential oil, the lemongrass oil itself has been found
to have antifungal properties (Nyamath, 2018). Because of the presence of chemical
compounds that possess antifungal properties and the common distribution of the plant in
the Philippines, lemongrass could be a viable fungicide source-specifically an organic
fungicide because it is the healthier and safer alternative as opposed to chemical fungicides
(Oruc, 2010).

1 Email address of lanj

2 Email address of cocoy
3 Email address of noev
4 Email address of adviser (adviser)
5 Email address of research teacher (research teacher)
 Ocampo et al: Antifungal Activity of Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus)
Crude Extract Against Rice Blast Fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)

The study aimed to assess the viability of lemongrass crude extract as a possible fungicide
source against M. oryzae. The research specifically sought to achieve the following
objectives: classification and analysis of the active compounds found in lemongrass that
are the sources of antifungal; and assessment and comparison of the compounds present in
lemongrass crude extract that are also present in commercial fertilizers through a
systematic review.

METHODOLOGY Commented [O6]: This is the second section. There will

be a space between this and the paragraph before it. Then
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Due to the current situation with the pandemic, there was no access to laboratories in
order to gather experimental data. The methodology utilized in order to gather data was
through a systematic review. The systematic review.

Phytochemical Analysis Commented [O7]: This is a subsection of Methodology.

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Figure 1. Crude extraction and phythochemical

screening of C. citratus leaves Commented [O8]: This is a sample Figure.
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The crude extract was characterized to separate the desired active compounds through The “title” is in sentence case.
phytochemical screening. Phytochemical screening was carried out for each plant extract
to detect the secondary metabolites present. Each sample was spotted on marked and If you can copy the format of this, then it will be good.
labeled Thin Layer Chromatography and was developed in acetate-methanol (7:3) mixture
in the developing chamber. The spots of certain metabolites were visualized on the TLC
plates and were exposed to UV light and hot plate to check the separation of different
compounds.
For the visualization of the secondary metabolites, vanillin-sulfuric acid was used. This
solution detected the presence of phenols, sterols, triterpenes, and essential oils. Methanolic
potassium hydroxide was used to test anthraquinones, coumarins, and anthrones while
phenolics compounds and tannins were detected through the use of potassium ferricyanide-

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 Ocampo et al: Antifungal Activity of Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus)
Crude Extract Against Rice Blast Fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)

ferric chloride reagent. Dragendorff’s reagent was used to spot alkaloids and Antimony
(III) chloride was used to detect the presence of flavonoids.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Phytochemical Analysis Commented [O9]: This is a subsection. Note that there is

A preliminary test was conducted in order to identify the active compounds present in the a space between the Section and the subsection, BUT no
C. citratus crude extract. Table 1 shows the following bioactive compounds present in the space for the next paragraph.

extract: alkaloids, coumarines, essential oils, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids,
tannins, and triterpenes.

Table 1. Phytochemical screening results of C. citratus crude extract Commented [O10]: This is a sample Table. The “Table”
and the number is in bold face (just like the figure) and the
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Antifungal activity of phytochemical compounds in lemongrass

For this research, the identified active compounds present in the crude extract must be
identified by their potential antifungal activity against rice blast fungus. Searching for
naturally- occurring potential antifungal agents for crop protection and food preservation
is essential. Despite the fact that the use of natural products for crop protection is not novel,
it has now been continually rediscovered, with considerable research for environmentally
safe and biodegradable biocides (Saghir, A., Terzi, S., Bramhi, I., Ghedairi, N., & Bissati,
S., 2017).

Chemical components in commercial fungicides against rice blast fungi

Commonly used fungicide against P. oryzae is the Mancozeb fungicide, which inhibits
fungal growth by interfering processes in the mitochondria of fungi. The fungicide is
classified with the chemical class ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (Muoria, 2018). According
to Kongcharoen (2020), Mancozeb was most effective against P. oryzae in lab tests
compared to other commercial fungicides. Actual field testing however revealed that it was
not as efficient. Factors considered were rainfall which lowered the concentration of the
fungicide.

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 Ocampo et al: Antifungal Activity of Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus)
Crude Extract Against Rice Blast Fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

With the findings obtained from the experiment and systematic review, it was observed
that the compounds present in the C. citratus crude extract possessed antifungal properties
to combat M. oryzae. The compounds identified that were confirmed to be the source of
the antifungal activity were mainly the following: alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids,
phenols, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, and tannins. In higher concentrations, the lemon
grass crude extract was confirmed to be a viable alternative to Tricyclazole and Mancozeb
as organic fungicide.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Commented [O11]: To include only the allied institutions

that helped in the conduct of the study, to include PSHS-
CVC.
We would like to express our gratitude to Philippine Science High School Cagayan Valley
Campus, including both the faculty and staff, for supporting and assisting the group in
accomplishing this study. We would also like to thank Saint Mary’s University specifically
the College of Natural Sciences, for lending their laboratory services as part of our data
gathering.

REFERENCES Commented [O12]: To include only those mentioned in

the journal.
The authors’ names are all caps.
ABBRUSCATO, P., TOSI, S., CRISPINO, L., BIAZZI, E., MENIN, B., PICCO, A., No space after each entry.
PECCETTI, L., AVATO, P., & TAVA, A. (2014). Triterpenoid Glycosides from But just the same, the entries are in hanging indent.
Medicago sativa as Antifungal Agents against Pyricularia oryzae.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf5049063
ARNAOUDOV, S. (2015) Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Philippine Rice
Cultivation. New York: United Nations Development Programme.
AWLA, H., KADIR, J., OTHMAN, R., RASHID, T., & WONG, M. (2016). Bioactive
Compounds Produced by Streptomyces sp. Isolate UPMRS4 and Antifungal
Activity against Pyricularia oryzae. Retrieved from
https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=66540
BASYUNI, M., GINTING, P. Y. A. B., & LESMANA, I. (2017). Phytochemical analysis
of Binahong (Anredera Cordifolia) leaves extract to inhibit in Vitro growth of
Aeromonas Hydrophila. doi:10.1063/1.5011929