Study of Antifungal, Anti-aflatoxigenic, Antioxidant Activity and Phytotoxicity of Algerian <i>Citrus limon</i> var. Eureka and <i>Citrus sinensis</i> var. Valencia Essential oils

Abstract

The inhibitory influence of Citrus limon var. Eureka and Citrus sinensis var. Valencia essential oils (EOs) on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and AFB1 production was evaluated. The EOs were characterized by limonene (54.95% and 82.6%, respectively) as predominant component. Citrus limon EO at 1.75 mg/mL and Citrus sinensis at 2 mg/mL could totally inhibit fungal growth as well as AFB1 production. The Citrus EOs revealed wide spectrum of fungitoxicity against some isolated fungi in terms of MIC and MFC. On the other hand, the antioxidant activity was also assessed where IC50 and β-carotene/linoleic acid inhibition percentage of Citrus limon and Citrus sinensis oils were 1570.10 and 752.26 μg/mL, 36.19 and 55.56%, respectively, while the total phenolic were 16.90 and 10.53 μg/mg, respectively. Additionally, the EOs showed their non phytoxicity on wheat seeds. These findings demonstrated that EOs could be good alternatives to protect food.