ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF Cymbopogon nardus ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST SOME FUNGI CONTAMINATING CEREALS AND PULSES

In the present investigation antifungal activity of Cymbopogon nardus essential oil was studied against some fungi contaminating cereals and pulses. A total of 172 fungal isolates were obtained from contaminated cereals and pulses samples collected from Jalukbari and Maligaon markets of West Guwahati, Assam. The frequently isolated fungal species were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and fungi belonging to genera Penicillium and Mucor. Essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus was obtained by hydro-distillation using Clevenger apparatus. Antifungal efficacy of the essential oil at different concentration against the isolated fungi was carried out by Agar Cup Diffusion assay. The result indicated all the fungal species showed varying degree of antifungal activity. However, four fungal species showed considerable zone of inhibition. Amongst them at 12.5% oil concentration Aspergillus niger was most susceptible with a zone of inhibition of 41mm followed by Aspergillus flavus (21mm) and Aspergillus fumigatus (17mm). One of the Penicillium species also showed promising activity showing 16mm inhibition zone. The bioactive components of Cymbopogon nardus essential oil was studied by GCMS analysis. The result showed one major spectrum with four medium and five minor spectra indicating the presence of bioactive metabolites. Since most of the isolated fungal genera produced aflatoxin which causes toxicity to living organisms including humans, the inhibition of these fungi genera by the essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus is promising eco-friendly approach to control such contamination.

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