Effect of Variable Physical Factors on the Toxicity of Plant Volatiles Against Some Aspergillus Spp.

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of physical factors on mycotoxic potency of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. and Clausena pentaphylla (Roxb.) DC oils against four species of Aspergilli such as A. flavus Link, A. niger van Tieghem, A. ochraceus Wilhelm, A. terreus Thom causing post-harvest deterioration of pigeon pea seeds. During experimentation it was observed that the potency of both oils remained unchanged even against heavy inoculum dose (maximum number of 10 fungal discs and diameter of 25 mm). Furthermore, the toxicity of both the oils did not alter even up to 120 ºC of temperature and 12 months of storage by exhibiting 100% mycelial inhibition of test fungi. The toxicity of both the oils was decreased at alkaline pH (7, 8). Physicochemical characterization of oils revealed that C. ambrosioides oil was pale yellow in colour, lighter than water, laevorotatory, acidic in nature and showed positive test for phenols. While the oil of C. pentaphyllahad light pale color, dextrorotatory, slightly acidic and showed presence of phenols. Both the oils showed good solubility in various organic solvents