Biochemical Defense against Die-Back Disease of a Traditional Medicinal Plant Mimusops elengi Linn.

Mimusops elengi (Linn.) commonly known as Bakul is one such tree native to the Western Ghat region of the peninsular India. However, today this tree is also found growing in other parts of the tropical and sub tropical regions of the world. The stem, barks, leaves and fruits are used in various Ayurvedic and folk medications to treat various ailments. Die-back disease caused by Alternaria lunata severely affects the plants grown in and around Burdwan, West Bengal, India. An investigation was carried out to study the phenolics along with their oxidizing enzymes that involve in defense against the activity of the pathogen. Peroxidase activity reached its peak on 14th day after infection whereas polyphenol oxidase mediated phenol oxidation was increased upto 21st day in the infected tissues. The enhancement of phenols and their oxidizing enzymes in infected plants affords resistance of the host against die-back.