Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum sp., Mentha piperita ve Thymus vulgaris esansiyel yağların Aspergillus niger suşuna karşı antifungal aktivitesi

Abstract

Aspergillus species are pollutants found in both food and air. The increase in the metabolic activity of Aspergillus leads to spoilage of foodstuffs and large economic losses. In addition, some Aspergillus species have the ability to produce aflatoxins and ochratoxins, secondary metabolites called, namely, mycotoxins. Especially mycotoxins are very important in terms of food safety and human health. Since the protection of human and animal health and the prevention of economic losses is a very important issue, our study aimed to determine the antifungal activity of Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb., Cinnamomum sp., Mentha piperita L. and Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils (EO) against Aspergillus niger Tiegh. NRRL 321 strain. In the second step, MIC and MFC values of EOs were determined. It was determined that the MIC value of Cinnamomum sp, M. piperita and T. vulgaris EOs was 0.01 µL/mL, and E. caryophyllata EO was 0.5 µL/mL. It was determined that E. caryophyllata, Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris EOs completely inhibited radial colony growth at MIC, 2xMIC and 4xMIC values. It was determined that the inhibition of radial growth of Cinnamomum sp. EO varies depending on the concentration, and the inhibition rate increases as the concentration increases. As a result, evaluations should be made considering the in vivo conditions that the tested EOs showed strong antifungal activity against the A. niger strain.