Propolis extract and oregano essential oil as biofungicides for garlic seed-cloves: in vitro assays and synergistic interaction against Penicillium allii.

CIBANAL, IRENE; FERNÁNDEZ, LETICIA; ANA PAULA MURRAY; PELLEGRINI, CECILIA; GALLEZ, LILIANA

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2021 vol. 131 p. 1909 - 1918

1364-5072

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the individual and combined antifungal activity of propolis extract (PE) and oregano essential oil (OEO) against Penicillium allii, causal agent of blue mold disease. The chemical characterization of both products was also included.Methods and Results: Chromatographic analysis of PE and OEO confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds. The antifungal susceptibility assays showed that PE and OEO were highly active against the mycelial growth and conidial germination of P. allii. PE and OEO MICs were 12.5 μL mL-1 and 1.5 μL mL-1, respectively. The MFCs of these products were 50 μL mL-1 and 3.1 μL mL-1, respectively. PE acted mainly through diffusion, while OEO acted by a mixed contribution of vapor and diffusion. Synergism and additive effect between both products was found in some combination ratios. Conclusion: PE and OEO, both natural products with different chemical composition, have a strong antifungal activity against P. allii and there is a favorable interaction between them causing synergism.Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study indicated the likelihood of using PE combined with OEO as a non-conventional strategy towards the formulation of a biofungicide to control blue mold disease in garlic seed-cloves.