Phytoanticipins from banana (Musa acuminata cv. Grande Naine) plants, with antifungal activity against Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of black Sigatoka

The previously detected antifungal activity against Mycosphaerella fijiensis of aqueous infusions of healthy banana (Musa acuminata cv. Grande Naine) leaves, suggested the production of phytoprotectants by the plant. The bioassay-guided VLC-purification of the lyophilized infusion of the leaves of 4-month old healthy banana (M. acuminata cv. Grande Naine) plants, resulted in the purification of a phytoanticipin with strong antifungal activity against M. fijiensis Morelet, the causal agent of black Sigatoka, the most destructive and devastating disease of bananas and plantains in the world. The LC-MS analysis of the purified phytoanticipin suggests a steroidal saponin structure with four sugar units attached to the C-3 position of a diosgenin-like aglycone. This represents the first report of phytoanticipins occurring in M. acuminata.