Mycelia growth inhibition of some Aspergillus and Fusarium species by essential oils and their potential use as antiradical agent

Abstract

The essential oils extracted from Lippia rugosa and Plectranthus glandulosus leaves from Cameroon were analysed by GC-MS and evaluated for their antifungal activities against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme common fungi causing spoilage of stored food product, and antiradical activities. The disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the fungal growth inhibition at various concentrations of oils while the antiradical activity was studied by the DPPH (diphenyl picryl hydrazyl) method. The main components found in P. glandulosus leaves oil were terpinolene (30.8%), fenchone (13.2%), terpene 4-ol (11%) and piperitenone oxyde (8%) whereas L. rugosa leaves oil is mainly constituted of thymol (26.7%), p-cymene (15.5%), thymol acetate (13.2%) and γ-terpinene (9.4%). L. rugosa exhibited the lowest MIC value in liquid medium ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 mg/ml against all fungal strain, and P. glandulosus which was less active with value ranged from 0.8 to 1mg/ml against all fungal strain. The antiradical activity of L. rugosa essential oil (SC 50 = 6.7 g/l) was less than that of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) which was used as the reference compound (SC 50 = 0.007 g/l). Results obtained in the present study indicate the possibility of exploiting these essential oils in the fight against strains of A. flavus, A. niger and Fusarium moniliforme responsible for biodeterioration of stored food products.

Application of silica nanoparticles in maize to enhance fungal resistance

“…Fusarium and Aspergillus spp. are common maize pathogens having high specialisation in infecting crops, causing stem and ear rots [8]. Increased susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses is because of not only the deprivation of essential plant nutrient but also the reduction in silicon content in soil as well as plants [9].…”

Application of agro-waste-mediated silica nanoparticles to sustainable agriculture

“…Fusarium and Aspergillus spp. are highly specialized in infecting crops, according to Aoudou et al ( 2011 ). The application of SiO 2 NPs to maize plants has indicated improved leaf transpiration rates under water stress (Kaya et al 2006 ; Gao et al 2006 ).…”