Natural Antifungal Agents from Pangium edule and Pinus merkusii for the Wood-Decaying Fungus Schizophyllum Commune

Abstract

The demand for wood from community and plantation forests has increased as an alternative to natural forests. However, these fast-growing woods are often vulnerable to biodeterioration by wood-decaying fungi. Enhancing their durability through eco-friendly preservation methods is therefore essential. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of extracts from the leaves and seed shells of Pangium edule and from the leaves and fruits of Pinus merkusii against the wood-decaying fungus Schizophyllum commune at concentrations below 25 ppm. The extracts were tested at four concentration levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm; w/v, mg extract per litre of agar) using the poisoned food technique on malt extract agar (MEA) medium. All extracts exhibited strong inhibitory activity, with the seed shell extract of P. edule achieving 100% inhibition (Antifungal Activity Index, AFA = 100%) across all concentrations. The fruit extract of P. merkusii produced AFA values ranging from 96% to 98%, while the leaf extracts from both species demonstrated slightly lower but still very strong activity (AFA > 80%). Notably, none of the treatments allowed complete fungal colony development compared to the control group. These findings suggest that both P. edule and P. merkusii extracts exhibit strong antifungal potential against S. commune in vitro. Further studies involving standardised wood-block decay tests are necessary to confirm their applicability as natural wood preservatives in practical use.