Evaluación de la actividad antifúngica del extracto orgánico de cutículas de larvas de RHYNCHOPHORUS PALMARUM sobre PSEUDOCERCOSPORA FIJIENSIS

Abstract

Black Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is a major phytosanitary threat to banana production, requiring sustainable control solutions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of an organic extract obtained from the cuticle of Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (chontacuro) larvae on the growth of P. fijiensis. For this study, specimens in the larval stage were collected in the town of Lago Agrio, Sucumbíos province. The metabolites of interest were obtained by extraction through maceration with hexane. Subsequently, antifungal activity was determined using the broth microdilution technique, following standard CLSI M38-A2 protocols, to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed that the extract has significant inhibitory capacity, reporting an MIC of 666, 67 µg/mL. It was concluded that the extract of R. palmarum L. cuticles shows potential as a source of bioactive antifungal compounds, suggesting its viability as an organic alternative for the integrated management of black Sigatoka.