Comparative LC TOF/MS instrument analysis of Olea dioica Roxb. Infected with the rust fungus Zaghouania oleae (E.J. Butler) Cummins and non-infected plants

Abstract

Fungus infection on plants induces the production of an array of secondary metabolites, and these have proved to be a gold mine to isolate new and novel molecules, useful for the treatment of various ailments. Once the properties of the secondary metabolites are revealed, it would replace conventional molecules and ultimately enhance the health industry. Olea dioica Roxb., belonging to the family ‘Oleaceae’ is a tree species seen to be infected with the rust fungus Zaghouania oleae (E.J. Butler) Cummins. The infection of Z. oleae is restricted to leaves and tender shoots, and it causes blisters on leaves, hypertrophy, Littling, thickening and unusual elongation of the infected shoot. The hypertrophied tender twigs are being cooked and eaten by Chenchu tribal ladies in Andhra Pradesh to get rid of infertility problems in women. In the present investigation, a comparative LC TOF/MS instrument analysis of leaves of O. dioica Roxb infected with Z. oleae (E.J. Butler) Cummins and non-infected plants has been carried out. The results confirmed the abundance of secondary metabolites in O. dioica Roxb infected with fungus in comparison with the non-infected leaves.