EFFICACY OF LAWSONIA INERMIS LINN. AND EUCALYPTUS CITRIODORA HOOK. ESSENTIAL OILS AND THEIR COMBINATION AS ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIAFLATOXIN AGENT
The investigation reports the antifungal, anti-aflatoxin and enzyme inhibitory activity of L. inermis and E. citriodora essential oil against A. flavus Navjot 4Nst and A. parasiticus var. globosus. During GC-MS analysis 1, 8-cineole and 1, 4α napthoquinone was recorded as major compounds in E. citriodora and L. inermis oil, respectively. Both essential oils showed remarkable antifungal activity. MFC of E. citriodora oil was observed at 700 ppm concentration, while L. inermis oil was fungistatic in nature. Aflatoxin B1 production was inhibited at a lower fungistatic concentration of oils and their combination. Significant inhibition of enzyme activity of fungi was observed with individual and mixture of oils. Synergism was found more effective as compared to individual oil. Germination of groundnuts was unaffected by the application of essential oils which showed their non-phytotoxic nature. During in vivo investigation both oils protected stored peanuts from different storage fungi for one year. Based on the findings of the present investigation, both essential oils and their combination may be recommended as cost-effective, ecofriendly botanical preservatives for control of post-harvest biodeterioration.