Effectiveness of Cymbopogon citratus L. Essential Oil to Inhibit the Growth of Some Filamentous Fungi and Yeasts

Irkin R., KORUKLUOĞLU M.

JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD, vol.12, no.1, pp.193-197, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1089/jmf.2008.0108
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.193-197
  • Keywords: antifungal effect, essential oil, medicinal plant, lemon grass oil, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY, ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY, CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION, ALLIUM PLANTS, DETERIORATION, THYME, CLOVE
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) oil has been known as having therapeutic and antibacterial properties, and its antifungal activity is currently the subject of renewed interest. This study aimed to verify the effectivenesses of C. citratus essential oil to inhibit the growth/survival of some fungi (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium roquefortii) and yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida oleophila, Hansenula anomala, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces uvarum, and Metschnikowia fructicola). C. citratus essential oil showed effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of all fungi by disc diffusion and broth dilution bioassay. Minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations between 0.062 and 20 mu L/mL were determined. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute agar-based method was also applied for A. niger and C. albicans. Data show the strong antifungal properties of lemon grass oil (C. citratus) in vitro.