Inhibition of the Fungal Asexual Reproduction Stages by Three Moroccan Essential Oils

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of oregano (Origanum compactum Benth.), mugwort (Artemisia herba-alba Asso) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) oils on spore germination, mycelial elongation and sporulation were studied in three fungi. All three stages of fungal asexual reproduction were affected, but mycelium growth was the most sensitive, followed by spore germination and then sporulation. Of the three fungi studied, Zygorrhynchus sp. was found to be the most sensitive followed by Aspergillus niger and then Penicillium italicum. Oregano oil was observed to be the most active on the three phenomena studied, followed by mugwort at spore germination and sporulation stages and eucalyptus oil when mycelial elongation was considered. The antifungal activity at all three stages of asexual reproduction was shown to be related to oil composition. KEY WORD INDEX: Antifungal activity Origanum compactum Artemisia herba-alba Eucalyptus globulus fungal sensitivityasexual reproduction stages