The antifungal activity of the leaf gland volatile oil of sweet gale (Myrica gale) (Myricaceae)

Abstract

The antifungal activity of volatile oil obtained from the leaves of sweet gale (Myrica gale) has been investigated. Fungi, isolated from the leaves of M. gale, were grown in liquid medium containing the oil and its effect on biomass production was gauged. The oil inhibited growth of all species of fungi to greater or lesser extent. Sesquiterpenes were more active than monoterpenes, and among the sesqui-terpenes germacrone was marginally more active than 13-elemenone. These results support the proposition that the volatile oil of M. gale has a role in resistance to fungal pathogens.

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Ocimum suave Essential Oils against Uropathogens Isolated from Patients in Selected Hospitals in Bushenyi District, Uganda

“…According to Lopez et al [ 53 ], ocimum oil has been described to be active against several species of bacteria and fungi. The chemical compositions in the essential oils are mainly of monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes with predominant features representing the terpenic chemotype group such as linalool and geraniol or the phenylpropenic chemotype groups, while the observed biological activities are attributable to either the individual components within the matrix of the oil or due to a synergistic effect of the components [ 54 – 60 ]. The prospect of further developing and using essential oils exhibiting broad spectrum biological activities holds promise in medicine and agriculture, owing to its low mammalian toxicity, biodegradability, non-persistence in the environment and affordability [ 60 ].…”

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

“…Some workers report that the whole essential oil possesses superior antimicrobial activity to that of any combination of major components, suggesting that lesser components of the oil contribute to the biological activity of that oil (Lachowicz et al., 1998), while others report that the major components possess greatest activity (Sinha and Gulati, 1990) or that biological activity can be attributed to specific individual components (Holm, 1999; Vasudaran et al., 1999). However, whole oils may confer other advantages, such as a broader range of protection (Carleton et al., 1992), and further, less active or even inactive components may enhance the activity of individual components by influencing availability or rate of reaction (Khanna et al., 1991; Svoboda et al., 2003).…”

Composition chimique, propriétés antimicrobiennes et activités sur les tiques de l'huile essentielle d'Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm

“…Au nombre de celles-ci, on reconnaît les propriétés antibactériennes [2] et antifongiques [3] ainsi que l'activité contre les tiques (Amblyomma variegatum).…”