Antifungal Activities and Essential Oil Constituents of Some Spices from Pakistan

Abstract

Hydrodistillation of Amomum subulatum, Cinnamomum verum, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Elettaria cardamomum, Myristica fragrans (Mace), and Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) purchased from local spice markets yielded essential oils which contained 1,8-cineole (72.7%), cinnamaldehyde (79.8%), linalool (78.1%), cuminaldehyde (37.4%), 1,8-cineole (30.7%), terpinen-4-ol (20.0% and 31.3%), respectively, as main constituents determined by GC/MS. Antifungal activity of the resulting essential oils against various pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum var. lycopersici, Microsporum canis, Pseudallescheria boydii, Trichopyton mentagrophytes and T. simii) was investigated.