Antifungal action of essential oils against Fusarium rot in melon

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to determine the composition and evaluate in vitro and in vivo effects of essential oils (Lippia sidoides Cham., Ocimum gratissimum L., Cymbopogon citratus Stapf., Ocimum selloi Benth., Citrus sinensis L., Ocimum micranthum Willd., Ocimum sp., and Piper aduncum L.) on the control of Fusarium rot in melon fruits, caused by the fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and their chemical composition was determined by GCMS and GC-FID. The effect of each essential oil (concentrations of 0, 500, 1500, and 3000µL L-1) on the fungal mycelial growth was evaluated in in vitro experiment. The effective concentration that inhibited 50% of mycelial growth (EC50) was determined through the probit method; mycelial growth index (MGI) was also calculated. The essential oils with higher potential for inhibiting mycelial growth of F. pallidoroseum were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the fungus spore germination in in vitro and in vivo experiments using melon fruits (variety Galia). Chemical composition analysis of essential oils enabled the identification of varying amounts of chemical compounds, with predominance of monoterpenes. The essential oils of L. sidoides, O. gratissimum, C. citratus, and O. micranthum presented higher inhibiting effects on F. pallidoroseum mycelial growth and spore germination, therefore, they are promising raw materials for the development of commercial fungicides, mainly for controlling postharvest rot caused by F. pallidoroseum.