Abstract
In the present study chemical composition of commercial Laurus nobilis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry essential oils and antifungal activity against two pathogenic fungi have been investigated. Thirty-seven compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by GC and GC-MS. 1,8-Cineole (51.95%), -terpinyl acetate (12.93%) and the monoterpene hydrocarbon sabinene (9.56%) were the main compounds in bay leaf essential oil, while the phenylpropanoid eugenol (88.58%), and the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons -caryophyllene (8.13%) and -humulene (2.35%) were found in clove essential oil. Clove essential oils at 300µg/mL showed more antifungal effect than bay leaf essential oil against both tested strains. S. aromaticum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium species and similar antifungal activity than pure eugenol. In inoculated rice-grain significantly reduced the fungal infection in vivo, so S. aromaticum essential oil could be a good alternative as preservative in stored products.
This research showed that clove essential oil has a great potential to control both fungal pathogens. In the in vitro test, the essential oil reduced fungal growth by 90% and almost 100%.
