Evaluation of the antifungal activity of essential oils against Alternaria alternata causing fruit rot of Eriobotrya japonica

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of essential oils against fungal pathogens including the chemical analysis (GC-MS) of the most effective essential oil. Methods The antifungal effect of essential oils was assessed after morpho-molecular identification of Alternaria alternata. Mycelial growth inhibition (%) in in vitro treatment of eight essential oils at different concentrations was observed against A. alternata. Fungitoxicity assay was done following chemical composition analysis by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Direct application of thyme oil was performed on healthy fruits against A. alternata. Results All eight essential oils showed mycelial growth inhibition at different levels, whereas thyme oil was found more efficacious against A. alternata. Chemical composition analysis detected 32 components and thymol was found in a higher percentage. Direct application of the most significant concentration of thyme oil was found effective against A. alternata with a varying decrease in decaying percentage. Conclusions Investigation of this study proved thyme oil as a potential and eco-friendly botanical fungicide effectively used against A. alternata on loquat fruit. The current study explored that thyme oil could be potentially used against A. alternata and its compounds could be further investigated for the development of eco-friendly approaches for the control of postharvest fruit rots.