Aims: Leptospira spp. has the ability to develop biofilm communities and this attribute is an essential factor to leptospiral pathogenesis. This study aims to assess and quantify the biofilm forming ability of intermediate and saprophytic Leptospira strains. Methodology and results: The biofilm assay was quantified on microtitre polystyrene plates (abiotic) and wood chips (Jelutong Paya hardwood) over a duration of 11 days. Phase contrast light microscope was used to assess the structure of the on the surface. The biofilm production on wood chips surface were approximately one times higher than on polystyrene plate surface indicating Leptospira strains were capable of forming higher quantity of biofilm on biotic surface compared to abiotic surface by both intermediate and saprophytic Leptospira. A significant difference (p<0.05) exists in biofilms produced by Leptospira on wood surface which formed more biofilm than on polystyrene surface. The strongest biofilm producer is intermediate strain G14 with OD600 of 2.283±0.180 and OD600 of 2.333±0.037, on polystyrene and wood surface, respectively. Visualisation of biofilm by phase-contrast microscopy of two representative strains correlated with the OD values and the colour intensity of stained microtitre plates and wood surfaces. The biofilm formed comprises of a three-step process are adherence (1 th to 24 th h), maturation (6t h to 7 th day) and detachment (9 th to 11 th day) of biofilms. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The contact time of intermediate pathogenic strains was faster compared to saprophytic strain, indicating the biofilm forming ability is related to the level of pathogenicity of Leptospira strains.

Aims: Plant diseases caused by pathogens are threatening crop yield. Agrochemicals are used extensively to curb pathogens. Efforts to reduce the usage of agrochemicals are needed for sustainable agriculture. This study was aimed to screen medicinal plants possessing antifungal properties against crop pathogenic fungi. Methodology and results: Sequential extraction using absolute n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol was performed on nine selected medicinal plants to obtain crude extract. An antifungal assay using these crude extracts was performed on Fusarium solani, Collectotrichum musae and two isolates of Pyricularia oryzae. The assay showed that medicinal plant species with all three types of crude extract inhibited the growth of all three pathogenic fungal species tested. The inhibitory effects of crude extracts were not only fungal species dependent but also isolate dependent. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Antifungal effect of nine selected medicinal plant species was observed against the three tested fungal pathogens. These research findings suggest that the selected medicinal plant species may serve as a potential source for the development of new biofungicide products.
Plants, Medicinal