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Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part III

Summary

This study tested six common essential oils (from oregano, thyme, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and basil) to see if they could stop five types of fungi that spoil bananas after harvest. Thyme oil worked best, completely stopping fungal growth at the highest concentration tested. Cinnamon and oregano oils also worked well at moderate concentrations. These natural oils could replace synthetic fungicides and help keep bananas fresher longer during storage and transport.

Background

Banana production faces significant postharvest challenges from fungal diseases including crown rot, vascular wilt, and fruit decay. Traditional synthetic fungicides raise concerns about environmental impact, fungicide resistance, and health risks. Essential oils from various plant species have emerged as promising natural antifungal agents with bioactive compounds demonstrating antimicrobial properties.

Objective

To evaluate the antifungal potential of essential oils from six plant species (oregano, rosemary, clove, thyme, cinnamon, and basil) against five fungal species isolated from infected banana peels. The study aimed to assess both in vitro and ex vivo antifungal efficacy and provide a molecularly supported basis for targeted application in integrated control strategies.

Results

Thyme oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect with complete growth suppression at 1000 ppm. Cinnamon and oregano demonstrated effective inhibition at 600 ppm, while clove, rosemary, and basil were markedly less effective. Statistical analysis confirmed significant effects of essential oil type and concentration on fungal growth (p < 0.001). Molecular results showed strong phylogenetic support with bootstrap values above 93% in most clades.

Conclusion

The findings support the selective use of specific essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides in postharvest banana management. Thyme, oregano, and cinnamon oils show the greatest promise for controlling banana rot fungi. These results provide a molecularly validated foundation for incorporating essential oils into integrated control strategies for banana postharvest diseases.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms13071663, PMID: 40732172
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