In: Phyton 54, Fasc. 1 (2014): S. 135-147 DOI: 10.12905/0380.phytons54(1)2014-0135

Key words: Asteraceae, Solidago virgaurea, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, invasive species.

Summary

Anžlovar S. & Dolenc Koce J. 2014. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of aqueous and organic extracts from indigenous and invasive species of goldenrod (Solidago spp.) grown in Slovenia. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 54 (1): 135–147, with 3 tables.

We report on the biological activity of extracts from three goldenrod species (Solidago spp.) growing in Slovenia. The main interest was to determine the differences in antibacterial and antifungal activities between native species of European goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) and two non-native and invasive species of Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) and giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton). Extracts were prepared separately from the roots and leaves in aqueous and organic solvents, and they were tested for antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and for antifungal activity against Armillaria mellea, Fusarium sp. and Phytophtora infestans. Aqueous extracts had no biological activity. Antibacterial activity was observed only in the organic extracts from the invasive species, with the strongest activity in the giant goldenrod extracts. The antifungal activities of the organic extracts were weak in all three goldenrod species. We also discuss the possible effects of these antimicrobial activities for the invasive potential of the non-native goldenrod species.