In the master thesis we tested antifungal activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts, derived from roots, flowers and leaves of three species of Artemisia (Artemisia verlotiorum, A. vulgaris, A. annua). Antifungal activity was tested with the diffusion method on agar on six different fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria infectoria, Fusarium poae, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata). Fungus growth inhibition was differing among different extracts. Extracts have also accelerated the growth of some fungi. Ethanol leaf extract from A. verlotiorum was the only one that had a growth inhibitory effect on all tested fungi. Leaf ethanol extract from A. annua has shown the most antifungal activity and was also comparable with wide spectrum synthetic fungicide azoxystrobin. There were observed differences between extracts from underground and aboveground plant parts. Differences in antifungal activity between ethanol and aqueous extracts were shown for A. verlotiorum, but not A. vulgaris. Among all tested plant species extracts from A. annua have shown the biggest growth inhibitory effects on tested fungi, that were also comparable with azoxystrobin. Therefore A. annua has the most potential as a biological fungicide and for uses in the food industry.
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