Evaluation of phytochemical, bioactive, and antifungal potential of Jatropha curcas seed oil and de-oiled seed cake extracts against phytopathogenic fungi

In this study, the antifungal, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory (α-amylase), phytochemical and cytotoxicity profile of Jatropha curcas seed oil and de-oiled seed cake extracts was determined. The antifungal activities were investigated against different phytopathogenic fungi including Colletotrichum coccodes, Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Bipolaris oryzae and Fusarium fujikuroi. Methanolic extract was found to be highly fungicidal as compared to aqueous extract, n-hexane extract and seed oil, against P. capsici and F. fujikuroi. Methanolic extract was also found to possess significantly higher antioxidant potential (p < 0.05) than the other extracts. Conversely, seed oil was found to be rich in cytotoxic phytochemicals and exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) α-amylase inhibitory activity while remained more cytotoxic against brine shrimps than n-hexane, methanolic and aqueous extracts. Methanolic extract was found to possess significantly higher content of total phenolics and flavonoids (p < 0.05) than the seed oil and other extracts. These results suggested that J. curcas seed oil and extracts can be further investigated for antimicrobial potential and as competent bio-pesticides.