Fungicidal properties of three saponins from Capsicum frutescens

US8497249B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US

Inventors

• Anthony J. De Lucca · Metairie, US
• Stephen M. Boue · New Orleans, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 2, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 29, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K31/7048
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

CAY-1 is a fungicidal saponin from the cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) fruit. The saponins 1081 and 919, closely elute with, and are close structural relatives of, CAY-1. Saponin 1081 is poorly antifungal while 919 has no antifungal properties. Nongerminated and germinating conidia of Aspergilus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, and F. verticilioides were tested against pure CAY-1 and CAY-1:1081:919 at ratios of 8:1:1, 6:2:2 and 4:3:3 and efficacy was determined after various incubation times. Pure CAY-1 and all saponin mixtures were significantly (p<0.001) lethal to the germinating conidia of A. flavus, A. niger, and F. solani. All saponin mixtures were equal or superior to pure CAY-1 in antifungal properties. Mixtures of the naturally occurring inactive or poorly fungicidal saponins with reduced levels of CAY-1 display superior fungicidal properties when compared to pure CAY-1 at the same dose levels.