Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils for Controlling Storage Fungi of Some Medicinal and Aromatic Seeds

Abstract

The most significant medicinal and aromatic plants in Egypt and the world are caraway (Carum carvi L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.). In vitro trails, completely inhibited of mycelial growth and spore germination was achieved with Thyme and Rosemary at 0.75 % for A. flavus and F. verticillioides while at 1.0 % for A. niger. While in vivo, trails, Thyme and Rosemary
essential oils was mixed individually with wheat barn and tested seeds were treated with mixture at rate of 0.00, 5.0,10.0.15.0,20.0 and 25.0 g/kg seeds. Results showed that all tried concentrations of essential oil carrier contact decreased the natural infection of tested seeds. The protective impact of Thyme and Rosemary essential oils carrier against A. flavus infection was assessed after 90 days of storage. Results showed that all tried concentrations of essential oil carrier decreased the artificial infection with A. flavus of all tested seeds. The highest inhibited was achieved with Thyme and Rosemary carrier at 25.0 g /kg seeds which decreased the infection more than 88.0, 89.0 and 91.0 %, for cumin, anise and caraway respectively. Followed by both essential oils carrier at 20.0g/kg seeds which reduced the infection more than 76.0 % for all tested seeds. Thyme and Rosemary carrier at 25.0 g /kg seeds recorded lower percent of the germination seeds for all tested seeds.