Leaf extracts of Casearia sylvestris and Casearia decandra affect growth and production of ligninolytic enzymes in wood decay basidiomycetes

ABSTRACT White-rot basidiomycetes are able to deteriorate wood products and be pathogenic to living trees, requiring, thus requiring control. The tropical flora is an important source of eco-friendly antifungal compounds; however, the knowledge on how leaf extracts affect the fungal physiology is limited. Therefore, in the present work we investigated the influence of ethanolic leaf extracts of Casearia sylvestris and C. decandra at 0.1 mg mL-1 on the production of ligninolytic enzymes by Trametes villosa, Ganoderma australe and Pycnoporus sanguineus. Overall, the extracts inhibited the mycelial growth and the production of biomass. Additionally, C. sylvestris extract reduced the production of manganese peroxidase and laccase; however, the exposure to C. decandra extract resulted in variable responses. Therefore, enzymes related to lignin degradation are potential targets to control wood decay fungi by plant bioactive compounds, as their ability to colonize the substrate may be impaired.