Secondary Metabolites of Trichoderma virens CEA09 with Antifungal Activity against Fusarium sacchari

Trichoderma virens is a known biocontrol agent against Fusarium sacchari, the causative agent of pokkah boeng disease in sugarcane. T. virens CEA09, an endophyte in sugarcane, has antagonistic abilities through secondary metabolite production. Different biocontrol fungi may have different compound types and antifungal activities. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolites produced by T. virens CEA09 and their antifungal activity against F. sacchari. Methods used were dual culture, volatile compound assays, LC-MS/MS for secondary metabolite characterization, and concentration-dependent antifungal tests. Research results showed that T. virens inhibited F. sacchari growth by 78.24 ± 1.39% in dual culture and 71.7 ± 1.94% in volatile compound tests at 6 days after inoculation (n = 3). LC-MS/MS analysis showed steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and fatty acids that have potential for antifungal activity. Concentration-dependent inhibition of F. sacchari growth was found on the antifungal activity tests of T. virens CEA09 crude extract. The highest inhibition was obtained from the 30% (w/v) extract concentration, resulting in a clear inhibition zone with 64.29 ± 3.85% growth inhibition (n = 3), categorized as a strong inhibition. These findings suggest that endophytic T. virens CEA09 is potential as a biocontrol agent against pokkah boeng disease in sugarcane. Keywords: Fusarium sacchari, LC-MS/MS, pokkah boeng disease, secondary metabolites, sugarcane, Trichoderma virens.