Assessment of chemically characterised Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. essential oil and its major component as safe plant based preservative for millets against fungal, aflatoxin contamination and lipid peroxidation during storage

Abstract

The present study aims survey of fungi causing deterioration of millets during storage, detection of aflatoxigenic fungal strains ans assessment of chemically characterized Gaultheria fragrantissiuma Wall essential oil (EO) and its major component methyl salicylate (MS) as plant based preservative. Essential oil (EO) and its major component methyl salicylate (MS) as plant based preservative was evaluated. In this study a total of 13 fungal species along with toxigenic strain of were isolated from the millets. Chemical characterization of EO through GC-MS analysis revealed Methyl salicylate (98.04%) as major component. The EO significantly inhibited growth and aflatoxin B production by toxigenic strain of LHP (B)-7 at 1.0 and 0.7 µl ml respectively. In addition, EO exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity (IC 7.5 µl ml). EO and MS showed non phytotoxic nature on germination of millets. The LD of the EO was 3833.33 µl kg for mice showing favourable safety profile. In view of side effects of synthetic preservatives, the study recommends EO as a safe plant based preservative to enhance shelf-life of food commodities during storage.