Essential Oil of Aegle marmelos as a Safe Plant‐Based Antimicrobial Against Postharvest Microbial Infestations and Aflatoxin Contamination of Food Commodities

Abstract

The essential oil of Aegle marmelos L. Correa (Rutaceae) showed strong fungitoxicity against some storage fungi-causing contamination of foodstuffs. The oil also showed efficacy as aflatoxin suppressor at 500 microL/L as it completely arrested the aflatoxin B(1) production by the toxigenic strains (Navjot 4NSt and Saktiman 3NSt) of Aspergillus flavus Link. Keeping in view the side effects of synthetic fungicides, A. marmelos oil may be recommended as an antimicrobial of plant origin to enhance the shelf life of stored food commodities by controlling the fungal growth as well as aflatoxin secretion. This is the 1st report on aflatoxin B(1) inhibitory nature of this oil. A. marmelos oil may be recommended as a novel plant-based antimicrobial in food protection over synthetic preservatives, most of which are reported to incite environmental problems because of their nonbiodegradable nature and side effects on mammals. The LD(50) of Aegle oil was found to be 23659.93 mg/kg body weight in mice (Mus musculus L.) when administered for acute oral toxicity showing nonmammalian toxicity of the oil. GC-MS analysis of the oil found DL-Limonene to be major component.

A review on recent research results (2008–2010) on essential oils as antimicrobials and antifungals. A review.

“…As a consequence, their application as bio-preservatives seems to be possible. The EOs of the following plants led to a noteworthy reduction or to an entire inhibition of the aflatoxin production: A. conyzoides, [191] A. marmelos, [190] L. alba, [203] O. sanctum, [196] R. officinalis, [198] S. hortensis, [200] T. copticum [198] and Z. multiflora. [202] The growth of A. flavus was entirely impeded by applying the EO of S. hortensis EO at the MIC on lemons 1week before they were exposed to the pathogens.…”

Evaluation of antifungal activity of free fatty acids methyl esters fraction isolated from Algerian Linum usitatissimum L. seeds against toxigenic Aspergillus

“…Mycelial radial growth was measured from the third day of incubation [20,21] . The inhibition percentage of mycelial growth was calculated using the following formula: (PIg=((DT-D)/DT)伊100 where DT is mean diameter of mycelial growth in control and D is mean diameter of mycelial growth in treatment [22] .…”

Walnuts (Juglans regia) Chemical Composition and Research in Human Health

“…Other workers have focused on elucidation of health effects of isolated individual compounds present at high concentrations in walnuts and other tree nuts (Simon et al, 2009). Some studies have investigated the implications (Campbell et al, 2003;Singh et al, 2009). The intention of this review is to provide a summary about walnuts (Juglans regia L and other genera of the Juglandaceae) and research into human health.…”