Evaluation of antifungal activity of essential oils against potentially mycotoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Abstract

Abstract:The antifungal activity of essential oils of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae), mint (Mentha piperita L., Lamiaceae) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) was evaluated against mycotoxin producers Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. High Resolution Gas Chromatography was applied to analyze chemical constituents of essential oils. The effect of different concentrations of essential oils was determined by solid medium diffusion assay. Mycelial growth and sporulation were determined for each essential oil at the concentrations established by solid medium diffusion assay. At the fifth, seventh and ninth days the mycelial diameter (Ø mm) and spore production were also determined. FUN-1 staining was performed to assess cell viability after broth macrodilution assay. Trans-anethole, zingiberene, menthol and thymol are the major component of essential oils of fennel, ginger, mint and thyme, respectively. The effective concentrations for fennel, ginger, mint and thyme were 50, 80, 50 and 50% (oil/DMSO; v/v), respectively. The four essential oils analysed in this study showed antifungal effect. Additionally, FUN-1 staining showed to be a suitable method to evaluate cell viability of potential mycotoxigenic fungi A. flavus and A. parasiticus after treatment with essential oils.

Biocontrol of toxigenic Aspergillus strains isolated from baby foods by essential oils

“…The antifungal activity of peppermint and cumin oils was previously reported by Khaledi et al who found that peppermint oil ( Metha piperita ) completely depressed the growth of Rhizoctonia solani . It has been found that the effective concentration of peppermint oil against the growth of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus was 50% (oil/DMSO; v/v) . Moghaddam et al found that peppermint oil showed inhibitory effect against the growth of Dreschlera spicifera , Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.…”

Efficacy of chemically characterized Foeniculum vulgare Mill seed essential oil in protection of raw tobacco leaves during storage against fungal and aflatoxin contamination

“…The effective concentrations for fennel EO to cause growth inhibition of A. flavus and A. parasiticus was found at 50% (oil/DMSO; v/v) when analysed through in vitro bioanalytical method (Silva et al . ). In the present study, the MIC of the EO against toxigenic A. flavus was recorded as 1·25 μ l ml −1 through poisoned food method.…”

Inhibitory Effects of Thai Essential Oils on Potentially Aflatoxigenic <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i> and <i><i>Aspergillus flavus</i></i>

“…Many studies have revealed that Aspergillus growth and mycotoxin production were inhibited by many plant EOs Alpsoy, 2010;Silva et al, 2010 . Some components of EOs such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics aflatoxigenic effect of five EOs on A. flavus was better than on A. parasiticus.…”