Antifungal activities and essential oil constituents of some spices from Pakistan

Abstract

Hydrodistillation of Amomum subulatum, Cinnamomum verum, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Elettaria cardamomum, Myristica fragrans (Mace), and Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) purchased from local markets yielded essential oils which contained 1,8-cineole (72.7%), cinnamaldehyde (79.8%), linalool (78.1%), cuminaldehyde (37.4%), 1,8-cineole (30.7%) terpinen-4-ol (20.0% and 31.3%). respectively as main constituents analyzed by GC/MS. Antifungal activity of the resulting essential oils against various pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum var. lycopersici, Microsporum canis, Pseudallescheria boydii. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. simii) was investigated.