Effect of essential oils on zearalenone and deoxynivalenol production by Fusarium graminearum in non-sterilized maize grain

The effect of cinnamon, clove, oregano, palmarosa and lemongrass oils on zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation by one isolate of Fusarium graminearum in non-sterilized naturally contaminated maize grain at 0.995 and 0.950 a(w) and at 20degreesC and 30degreesC was evaluated at a 500 mg kg(-1) level. Efficacy of essential oils was found to be poor, clove essential oil being that with a broader applicability. In general, competing mycoflora seemed to control to a large extent ZEA and DON accumulation, and then the effectiveness of essential oils could only be observed under certain environmental conditions, 0.950 a(w)/30degreesC for ZEA, and 0.995 a(w)/30degreesC for DON. Better results might be obtained by applying higher dosages; sensory quality, however, should not be compromised. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.