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BACKGROUND:The leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) are used in traditional cuisine as spices; its essential oil has found a wide application in perfumery, dental products as well as antifungal agents.AIM:To assess the chemical composition as well as the in vitro antifungal activity of O. basilicum L. essential oil against Aspergillus flavus fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 production.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The essential oil of O. basilicum was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The essential oil was tested for its effects on Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) mycelial growth and aflatoxin B1 production in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) growth media. Aflatoxin B1 production was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).RESULTS:Nineteen compounds, representing 96.7% of the total oil were identified. The main components were as follows: linalool (48.4%), 1,8-cineol (12.2%), eugenol (6.6%), methyl cinnamate (6.2%), α-cubebene (5.7%), caryophyllene (2.5%), β-ocimene (2.1%) and α-farnesene (2.0%). The tested oil showed significant antifungal activity that was dependent on the used oil concentration. The complete inhibition of A. flavus growth was observed at 1000 ppm oil concentration, while marked inhibition of aflatoxin B1 production was observed at all oil concentrations tested (500, 750 and 1000 ppm).CONCLUSION:These results confirm the antifungal activities of O. basilicum L. oil and its potential use to cure mycotic infections and act as pharmaceutical preservative against A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production.

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The hazardous nature of aflatoxins to human and animals necessitate the need for establishment of control measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus strain (ATCC 16872) by various essential oils in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) growth media at 25°C. Essential oils of basil, fennel, coriander, caraway, peppermint and rosemary were tested for their effects on mycelial growth and aflatoxin production. Aflatoxin B1 production was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The findings of this study revealed the antifungal efficacy of the all tested essential oils. The extent of inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production was dependent on the type and concentration of essential oils used. The complete inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth was observed at 1000 ppm concentrations of essential oils of basil, coriander, caraway and rosemary. While, essential oils of basil and coriander showed marked inhibition of aflatoxin B1 produced by Aspergillus flavus at all concentrations tested 500,750 and 1000 ppm.