Control of Aspergillus flavus with essential oil and methanol extract of Satureja hortensis

The essential oil and methanol extract of Satureja hortensis were tested for antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus in vitro on Petri plates and liquid culture, and under storage conditions. The oil showed strong antifungal activity based on the inhibition zone and minimal inhibitory concentration values against the pathogen on Petri plates assays. The very low concentrations of them also reduced wet and dry mycelium weight of pathogen fungus in liquid culture. When the oils at 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mu l/mL concentrations were applied to lemon fruits before seven days of pathogen inoculation on storage conditions, the decay on fruits caused by the pathogen could be prevent completely. The results in this study showed that the essential oil of S. hortensis had strong antifungal activity against pathogen fungi tested. So, the essential oil of S. hortensis could be used for management of this pathogen as a potential source of sustainable eco-friendly botanical fungicides. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.