Inhibitory effect of cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, oregano and palmarose essential oils on growth and fumonisin B1 production by Fusarium proliferatum in maize grain

The effect of cinnamon, clove, oregano, palmarose and lemongrass oils on growth and FBI production by three different isolates of F. proliferatum in irradiated maize grain at 0.995 and 0.950 a(w) and at 20 and 30 degreesC was evaluated. The five essential oils inhibited growth of F. proliferatum isolates at 0.995 a(w) at both temperatures, while at 0.950 a(w) only cinnamon, clove and oregano oils were effective in inhibiting growth of F. proliferatum at 20 degreesC and none of them at 30 degreesC. Cinnamon, oregano and palmarose oils had significant inhibitory effect on FB1 production by the three strains of F. proliferatum at 0.995 a(w) and both temperatures, while clove and lemongrass oils had only significant inhibitory effect at 30 degreesC. No differences were found using 500 or 1000 mug essential oil g(-1). At 0.950 a(w), none of the essential oils had any significant effect on FBI production. The results suggest that mainly cinnamon and oregano oils could be effective in controlling growth and FBI production by F. proliferatum in maize under preharvest conditions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.