Effect of zinc undecylenates on plant pathogenic fungi.

NIKOLOV, A. and D. GANCHEV, 2010. Effect of zinc undecylenates on plant pathogenic fungi. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 16: 220-226 The undecylenic acid (10-undecenoic acid), an eleven-carbon monounsaturated fatty acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in the castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) and as a product of human sweat glands. It is produced commercially through the vacuum distillation of castor bean oil and pyrolysis of ricinoleic acid (Perkins, 1927). Since 1949, the undecylenate salts have been used as yeast and mold inhibitors in the food industry, and in medicine as topical and systemic antifungals (Bourne, Ireland, Stanberry, Bernstein, 1999). Zinc undecylenate has been shown to be an effective antifungal agent and is the active ingredient in many topical over-the-counter antifungal preparations. Undecylenic acid has been shown to be approximately six times more effective in its antifungal action than caprylic acid. Undecylenate salts have been shown to possess as much as four times the fungicidal effect of undecylenic acid, and may be over 30 times more effective than caprylic acid. These agents have also been shown to be effective in helping to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal and vaginal flora (Chretien, Esswein, Sharpe, 1980). In the present investigation we conducted in vitro and in vivo trials with zinc salts of the undecylenic acid with plant pathogenic fungi. The observed results showed that these salts have a strong antifungal effect and can be very effective plant protection remedy.