Antifungal activity of Mentha piperita and Carum carvi essential oils

Abstract

Aromatic plants are one of the most important sources of biologically active secondary metabolites, which possess various antimicrobial characteristics. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of antifungal activities of mint and caraway essential oils against the selected fungi. Eight species of molds were selected for antifungal testing: Alternaria alternata, Aspegillus flavus, A. niger, A. versicolor, Eurotium herbariorum, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, P. chrysogenum and P. expansum. Testing of essential oils antifungal activity against the selected species was conducted using the disc diffusion method by adding mint and caraway essential oils (0.5, 1, 5, and 10 µl per disc). Antifungal activity of essential oils was expressed by the diameter of inhibition zone (mm). The most powerful effect of mint essential oil was recorded against E. herbariorum, as its growth was completely inhibited by the quantity of 5 µl. The weakest inhibitory effect was observed against P. chrysogenum (inhibition zone 13.67 mm) by the quantity of 10 µl. The most powerful antifungal activity of caraway was observed against E. herbariorum as growth was completely inhibited by the quantity of 10 µl. The weakest inhibitory effect was observed against A. niger (inhibition zone 28 mm) by the quantity of 10 µl.

Antifungal activity of selected volatile essential oils against Penicillium sp.

“…pumilio , for which at a concentration of 0.125 µL/mL there was no inhibitory effect. Plavčič et al [ 16 ] presented that the mint EO, in the case of the disc diffusion method, exhibited antifungal activities against eight tested molds. The largest inhibition for the quantity of 0.5 µL was measured against P. expansum growth (14.33 ± 0.58 mm), which is similar to our measurements.…”

“…In the present study, Pimpinella anisum L., Satureja hortensis L. and lastly Mentha piperita L. exhibit remarkable antifungal activity against Penicillium chrysogenum. The EO of mint ( Mentha piperita L.) was used for the purpose of antifungal activity testing against eight different fungi by Plavsic et al [ 16 ]. The inhibition zone was not observed only when the smallest quantity of EO was applied (0.5 µL) against P. expansum (14.33 ± 0.58 mm).…”

“…The inhibition zone of other species was in the range from 13.67 mm ( P. chrysogenum ) to 44.67 mm ( P. aurantiogriseum ). Plavsic et al [ 16 ] concluded that the mint EO had the strongest impact on Eurotium herbariorum , and the weakest on P. chrysogenum . According to Motiejūnaite and Peciulyte [ 42 ], P. chrysogenum was the least susceptible to pine oil.…”

“…EOs can be composed of more than 60 components. Phenolic compounds are responsible for the antimicrobial activity of EOs [ 16 ]. The effect of EOs on molds can be followed at the macromorphological level, as well as at the cellular level.…”

Effect of the Chemical Composition of Free-Terpene Hydrocarbons Essential Oils on Antifungal Activity

“…It is worth noting that most of these substances were declared as alternatives to synthetic fungicides from a natural origin [1,2,3]. Several studies identified EOs from carum ( Carum carvi L.) (CEO) and origanum ( Origanum majorana L.) (MEO) as potential antifungal agents against molds and food spoilage fungi [4,5,6]. However, there are not enough studies that clearly describe the effect of different molecules found in EOs and which could be effective as antifungal agents.…”