Antifungal activity of essential oils against post-harvest fungal pathogens of tropical fruits

Abstract

Five essential oils of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Cestrum nocturnum L., and Michelia champaca Linn. were evaluated to determine the suitable essential oil and its concentration on inhibition of post-harvest fungal pathogens of tropical fruits, i.e. fungi Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), Fusarium oxysporum (Fo2) and Glomerella cingulata (Ge) which isolated from snake fruit, papaya and wax apple respectively under laboratory conditions. The highest and broadest activity was shown by C. citratus oil which can cause fungicidal activity to all fungi tested. The oil was extremely fungitoxic against F. oxysporum (Fo), F. oxysporum (Fo2) and G. cingulata (Ge) at fungicidal MIC (Minimum [nhibitory Concentration) of I .2, 0.8 and 1.0 µI mr 1 , respectively. Moderate active essential oils were achieved by M. champaca and C. nocturnum at fungistatic and fungicidal concentration of 0.8 - 6.4 µI mr'. [n contrast, both citrus oils were found to be the least effective with M[C of 6.4 µI mr' - 38.4 µI mr'.