Chemical Composition of four Essential Oils by GC–MS and  their Antifungal Activity Against Human Pathogenic Fungi

R. R. Thanighai arassu; Balwin Nambikkairaj; P. Sivamani

Volume : III, Issue : III, March - 2013

Chemical Composition of four Essential Oils by GC–MS and their Antifungal Activity Against Human Pathogenic Fungi

R. R. Thanighai Arassu, Balwin Nambikkairaj, P. Sivamani

Abstract :

Essential oils from four plants such as Cymbopogon martini, Mentha piperita, Pelargonium graveolens and Rosemarinus officinalis were selected for chemical analysis and antifungal activity on selected opportunistic fungal pathogens. The chemical composition of the oils was analyzed by GC–MS technique. Compounds like geraniol, transgeraniol, geranyl acetate and farnesol were identified in all four essential oils. The antifungal activity of these essential oils was evaluated in fungal culture medium. Clinical isolates in the group of molds such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and yeast like fungi such as Candida tropicalis Candida albicans and Candida kefyr, were used for antifungal activity analysis. The well diffusion technique was followed. The results expressed as zone of inhibition in mm showed that Cymbopogon martinii oil showed very high activity for Aspergillus flavus and least against Candida tropicalis and Pelargonium graveolens oil was highly active against Candida tropicalis and very low against Aspergillus flavus might be due to the activity chemical compounds geraniol and trans–geraniol. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was carried for all essential oils. Cymbopogon martinii oil and Mentha piperita oil were found to be effective at 250 µl concentration. In Pelargonium graveolens oil showed complete inhibition of all fungal growth at 62.5 µl and in Amphotericin – B high inhibition activity was noted at lowest concentration 31.5 µl.