Antifungal Activity Of Essential Oils Research Articles

Analysis of Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Orange Peels

The largest fruit in Nepal is citrus, which takes up 2684 of the country's total fruit-growing land. 71.65% of the nation's citrus-growing land is devoted to the planting of citrus called mandarin oranges. Pectin is a structural hetero-polysaccharide that is integral to the motion of terrestrial flora. The fact some components are becoming resistant to specific fungal infections and illnesses has become among the biggest obstacles in treating them at the moment. This necessitated the employment of novel medications to treat infectious disorders brought on by these microbes. Additionally, they are exceedingly low in toxicity and abundant sources of active chemicals. Soxhlet can be used to easily extract the essential oil. The end result confirms that essential oils were successfully extracted as pectin solutes, which is particularly helpful for pectin extraction in industrial sectors both economically and for environmental health.

Chemical Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Roscoea purpurea Leaves

Chemical Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Roscoea purpurea Leaves

Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, DFT, and in silico ADMET studies of five derivatives

In order to valorize Algerian aromatic and medicinal plants, this study focused on both the evaluation of the antifungal activity of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil against the citrus fungus Fusarium proliferatum and the in-silico study of its fractions. Moreover, the results showed a strong antifungal potential of all tested essential oil (EO) concentrations compared to the commercial fungicide Agriconazole. Five major molecules that, to our knowledge, have not been the subject of any theoretical study are selected to perform the in-silico study. The stability and molecular reactivity of these five molecules were computed using the HOMO-LUMO energies, energy gap, chemical potential (μ), electronegativity (χ), hardness (η), and softness (S) values. In silico analysis through molecular docking and pharmacokinetic evaluation was used to assess its antifungal activity and drug-likeness property. The in silico DFT, ADMET, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics studies confirm that the results have a greater affinity with the in vitro tests carried out for the selection of new antifungal products of natural origin.

Antifungal activity of essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum on Rhynchosporium secalis, the causal agent of barley Scald

Antifungal activity of essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum on Rhynchosporium secalis, the causal agent of barley Scald

IN VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS (FAMILY LAMIACEAE) AGAINST CLADOSPORIUM SP. STRAINS – POSTHARVEST PATHOGENS OF FRUITS

Essential oils (EOs) are a suitable alternative for extending the shelf life of foods. The aim of this research was to test the effect of fifteen EOs extracted from plants of the Lamiaceae family on five strains of Cladosporium cladosporioides. Cladosporium cladosporioides is frequently found on fruit and may be involved in fruit spoilage. The strains used in the study were isolated directly from lesions on berries. The growth of the fungi on the fruit was the reason for its rejection from sale. The antifungal activity of EOs against Cladosporium cladosporioides strains was determined by the microatmospheric method (625 μl EO/L air) during 14 days of cultivation. Thirteen EOs: thyme and red thyme (from Thymus vulgaris L.), mitcham mint (Mentha x piperita L. var. Mitcham), peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), savory (Satureja hortensis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L. var. crispa), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), bergamot-mint (Mentha citrata Erh.), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) were shown to inhibit growth of all strains to 100%. Basil (Ocinum basilicum L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) EOs did not have a 100% inhibitory effect on all strains throughout the cultivation period. Subsequently, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIDs) were determined using the microatmospheric method. LD90 and LD50 values were estimated by probit analysis. Based on the MID, LD90, and LD50 results, the essential oils can be divided into three groups. The first group (most effective): thyme, red thyme, spearmint, wild thyme, and oregano EO; the second group: peppermint, lavender, mitcham mint and savory EO; the third group: sage, marjoram, bergamot-mint and hyssop EO. The most effective EOs can be used to suppress the growth of Cladosporium cladosporioides in the vapour phase.

Application of Essential Oils Extracted from Peel Wastes of Four Orange Varieties to Control Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum scovillei and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Mangoes.

A huge amount of orange peel waste is annually discharged into the environment. Processing of this waste for the control of post-harvest fruit diseases can reduce environmental pollution. Essential oils (EOs) from fruit peels of Citrus reticulata × sinensis (Sanh cultivar) and Citrus sinensis (Xoan, Mat and Navel cultivar) were investigated for their ability to control anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum scovillei on mangoes. EOs were extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The antifungal activity of the EOs was determined by in vitro and in vivo assays. The Mat cultivar had the highest extraction yield of 3% FW, followed by Xoan (2.9%), Sanh (2.2%), and Navel (1%). The chemical composition of the EOs was similar, with limonene as the main compound (around 96%). The antifungal activity of EOs was not different, with a minimum fungicidal concentration of 16% for both fungi. The disease inhibition of EOs increased with their concentration. The highest inhibition of anthracnose caused by both fungi on mangoes was achieved at 16% EO. EOs had no adverse effect on mango quality (pH, total soluble solids, total acidity, color and brightness of mangoes), except firmness and weight loss at high concentrations (16%). Orange EOs can be used as bio-fungicides to control mango anthracnose at high concentrations.

Antifungal activity of essential oil and emulsifiable concentrates of citronella and lemon grass against Phomopsis vexans

The present study aims to develop eco-friendly Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) using citronella and lemon grass essential oil (EO) and evaluate its antifungal activity against Phomopsis vexans in Solanum melongena. Among nine prepared formulations, F1 formulation with EO (40%) + vegetable oil (50%) and emulsifier blends (10%) with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value (12.86) were found suitable for both EO formulations. These formulations (CF1 and LF1) performed well in terms of emulsion stability, cold test, accelerated storage and foam test indicating feasibility for their commercial production. In laboratory studies, at 0.1% concentration, citronella essential oil, lemon grass essential oil and their EC formulations CF1 and LF1 inhibited the growth of P. vexans with EC50 values 0.0087, 0.0098, 0.009 and 0.0126, respectively. Further, under field conditions, CF1 performed better than LF1 formulation in terms of minimum disease severity (32.22%). Hence, EC formulations can be used as natural and eco-friendly fungicide for P. vexans control.

Rapid molecular assay for the evaluation of clove essential oil antifungal activity against wheat common bunt.

Common bunt of durum wheat (DW), Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn., is caused by the two closely related fungal species belonging to Tilletia genus (Tilletiales, Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycotina): Tilletia laevis Kühn (syn. T. foetida (Wallr.) Liro.) and T. caries (DC) Tul. (syn. T. tritici (Bjerk.) G. Winter). This is one of the most devastating diseases in wheat growing areas worldwide, causing considerable yield loss and reduction of wheat grains and flour quality. For these reasons, a fast, specific, sensitive, and cost-effective method for an early diagnosis of common bunt in wheat seedlings is urgent. Several molecular and serological methods were developed for diagnosis of common bunt in wheat seedlings but at late phenological stages (inflorescence) or based on conventional PCR amplification, with low sensitivity. In this study, a TaqMan Real Time PCR-based assay was developed for rapid diagnosis and quantification of T. laevis in young wheat seedlings, before tillering stage. This method, along with phenotypic analysis, was used to study conditions favoring pathogen infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of clove oil-based seed dressing in controlling the disease. The overall results showed that: i) the Real Time PCR assay was able to quantify T. laevis in young wheat seedlings after seed dressing by clove oil in different formulations, greatly reducing times of analysis. It showed high sensitivity, detecting up to 10 fg of pathogen DNA, specificity and robustness, allowing to directly analyze crude plant extracts and representing a useful tool to speed up the tests of genetic breeding for disease resistance; ii) temperature was a critical point for disease development when using wheat seeds contaminated by T. laevis spores; iii) at least one of the clove oil-based formulations tested was able to efficiently control wheat common bunt, suggesting that clove oil dressing could represent a promising tool for managing the disease, especially in sustainable farming.

Comparing the effects of essential oils and methanolic extracts on the inhibition of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus growth and production of aflatoxins.

The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of four distinct plant species against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were investigated. Essential oils and methanolic extracts were prepared from aerial parts of Lippia javanica, Ocimum gratissimum, Satureja punctata, and stem barks of Toddalia asiatica by hydro-distillation and maceration, respectively. The poisoned food method was used to confirm the antifungal activity of essential oils and methanolic extracts from four different plant species against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the antiaflatoxigenic activity. The essential oils of Satureja punctata and Lippia javanica showed the highest antiaflatoxigenic activity against the fungi strains tested at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µL/mL, followed by Ocimum gratissimum essential oil while Toddalia asiatica essential oil exerted moderate antiaflatoxigenic activity. Meanwhile, the methanolic extracts showed a wide spectrum of low to high antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500µg/mL against A. flavus and A. parasiticus. This study has indicated that the essential oils of Satureja punctate, Lippia javanica, and Ocimum gratissimum had substantial antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities compared to their methanolic extracts, while Toddalia asiatica methanolic extract had a moderate antifungal activity compared to its essential oil.

Essential Oils of Two Portuguese Endemic Species of Lavandula as a Source of Antifungal and Antibacterial Agents

Chemical investigations of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri and L. pedunculata essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS, and the antimicrobial activity was performed against bacteria and fungi isolated from food sources. The cytotoxicity of the essential oil was performed in NHDF cells using the MTT method. According to the results, the main compounds of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil were trans-α-necrodyl acetate (40.2%), lavandulyl acetate (11%), and trans-α-necrodol (10.4%), while fenchone (50.5%) and camphor (30.0%) in L. pedunculata essential oil. The antifungal activity of essential oils was confirmed with MIC values ranging from 1.2 to 18.7 µL/mL; for bacteria, it ranged from 4.7 to 149.3 µL/mL. Both the Lavandula species tested showed low or equal MIC and MBC/MFC values for L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil, revealing greater efficacy in antimicrobial activity. The L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil revealed cytotoxic effects (30 ± 2% of cell viability) in NHDF cells at all concentrations tested.

Antifungal Activities of Essential Oil Obtained from Mentha Spicata var. Crispa against Selected Penicillium Species

Attention of the scientific community has still focused on application of essential oils (EOs) as natural antifungal agents in the food industry to prolong the shelf-life of food products. In this regard, the current study was designed to evaluate chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and antifungal (in vitro, in situ) activities of spearmint (Mentha spicata var. crispa) essential oil (SEO) commercially obtained from Slovak company against selected Penicillium species. The EO was used in four concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µL/L) chosen, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, DPPH, agar disc diffusion and vapor phase methods were employed for such analyses. Our results revealed carvone (57.5%) and α-limonene (17.6%) to be the principal constituents in the EO chemical composition. Although only a weak antioxidant capacity (20.40 ± 0.80% free radical-scavenging inhibition) was displayed by the SEO, the highest EO concentration (500 µL/L) was shown to be a moderate growth inhibitor of P. expansum (inhibition zone of 11.46 ± 0.63 mm) and P. crustosum (inhibition zones of 12.93 ± 0.46 mm). The growth of P. citrinum was only weakly inhibited by the SEO (≥ 250 µL/L). Most importantly, the ability of the SEO to inhibit the mycelial growth of three Penicillium spp. tested was pronounced (P < 0.05) for all applied concentrations. Accordingly, the results from the current study complement our previous ones dealing with the possibility of utilizing diverse EOs commercially achieved from the same company in the food sector.

Post-Harvest Fungi of Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglosa in Chad Republic and Bioactivity of Natural Products against Some Pathogenic Fungi

In Chad Republic, kernels/grains of Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglobosa are two Edible Non-Timber Forest Products (ENTFP) with high economic value. These products are colonized by un-identified post-harvest fungi that are responsible for high post-harvest losses. The objective of the study was to contribute to the management of the post-harvest diseases of kernels of V. paradoxa and P. Biglosa through natural products. To achieve this, post-harvest fungi were isolated from infected kernels and their pathogenicity tested. Then, antifungal activity of Essential Oil (EO) of Thymus algeriensis and crude extract of African panaxia was carry out by the dispersion method on the agar medium on four pathogenic fungi isolated from the two infected ENTFP. Results showed that V. paradoxa kernels were highly infected (77-95%) compared to P. biglobosa (0.6-2.6%). Fungal species frequently associated with V. paradoxa and P. Biglobosa kernels were: Aspergillus niger (46%), Rhizopus nigricans (17%), Oidium sp (22%) and Cercospora sp (8%); and Oidium sp (55%), A. niger (18%), A. flavus (18%) and Cercospora sp (6%) in V. paradoxa and P. biglobosa respectively. Pathogenicity test was positive with all the species belonging to the genus Aspergillus and with Oidium sp. Essential oil of T. vulgaris at 1.5 �l/ml and the crude extract of African panaxia at 120 �g/ml totally inhibited the growth of the four potential mycotoxigenic fungi tested; their efficacy were significantly comparable (p<0.05) to the reference fungicide (Terazeb). In vivo control of post-harvest diseases with these two natural products is being carry out.

Antifungal activity of 40 plant essential oil components against Diaporthe fusicola from postharvest kiwifruits and their possible action mode

The antifungal activity of essential oils is closely related to their components and contents. The study aimed to explore the structural activity of essential oil (EO) components against Diaporthe fusicola and modes of action. The results showed most of the tested compounds showed inhibitory effects on the growth of D. fusicola and carvacrol was the strongest one with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 11.21 μL/L. The chemical structures of the tested compounds had great influences on their antifungal activity, in which the presence of CHO group, CC group or Ar-OH group in any EO components significantly increase the antifungal potency, but the increment of carbon chain length of saturated fatty aldehyde decreased antifungal activity. In order to analyze the antifungal action mode of EO components, the correlations between EC50 and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), cell-membrane permeability and respiration inhibition of the tested compounds were further evaluated. The results showed antifungal activities of these EO components seemed to be accomplished by increase of cell membrane permeability and inhibition of the respiration of D. fusicola. The levels of increased membrane permeability, inhibited respiration and ORP of chemicals were all significantly correlated with EC50. This results indicated the action mode of these EO components against D. fusicola may be associated with the increment of cell membrane permeability and respiration inhibition via disrupting redox homeostasis in fungal cells, and oxidation-reduction property could be used as a secondary indicator for screening the antifungal agent from EO components.

Antifungal activity of essential oils and their combinations against storage fungi.

We aimed to evaluate the fungicidal activity of essential oils (EOs) from Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), Baccharis uncinella (Asteraceae), Mentha arvensis (Lamiaceae), Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae), Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae), and Cymbopogon nardus (Poaceae) in the in vitro control of mycotoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium graminearum. EOs' chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and a total of 19, 21, 18, 20, 17, and 15 compounds were identified in B. dracunculifolia, B. uncinella, S. officinalis, M. arvensis, M. alternifolia, and C. nardus EOs, respectively. Contact and volatilization bioassays were performed, for which M. alternifolia and C. nardus EOs had the greatest fungicidal effect (> 90%). Therefore, these EOs were evaluated for minimum inhibitory concentration, medium inhibitory concentration, and sporulation. Effects from the combined use of EOs were also evaluated. EOs interacted in combination, displaying an additive effect against F. graminearum and A. flavus and an antagonistic effect against the remaining isolates. We conclude that C. nardus EO was effective in the control of storage pathogens and that combined EOs can improve their antifungal effects.

Screening of Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils in Controlling Biocontamination of Historical Papers in Archives.

The main challenge in controlling the microbiological contamination of historical paper is finding an adequate method that includes the use of cost-effective, harmless, and non-toxic biocides whose effectiveness is maintained over time and without adverse effects on cultural heritage and human health. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possibility of using a non-invasive method of historical paper conservation based on plant essential oils (EOs) application. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of different EOs (lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus) was conducted against Cladosporium cladosporoides, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium chrysogenum, which are commonly found on archive papers. Using a mixture of oregano, lemongrass and peppermint in ratio 1:1:1, the lower minimal inhibition concentration (0.78%) and better efficiency during a vapour test at the highest tested distance (5.5 cm) compared with individual EOs was proven. At the final step, this EOs mixture was used in the in situ conservation of historical paper samples obtained from the Archives of Vojvodina. According to the SEM imaging, the applied EOs mixture demonstrates complete efficiency in the inhibition of fungi colonization of archive papers, since fungal growth was not observed on samples, unlike the control samples.

Chemical Composition, in vitro Antifungal Activity, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies of the Essential Oil of Ballota hirsuta

Biologically active compounds extracted from plants, such as essential oils (EOs) have offered a promising alternative to control phytopathogens in the food industries. The present study describes the chemical composition and the antifungal activity of the EO of Ballota hirsuta aerial parts for the first time. Forty-three constituents were identified by gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS), which the main ones are germacrene-D (16%), Z-phytol (7.7%), α-cadinol (7.3%) and carvacrol (6.7%). The EO's antifungal activity against two pathogenic fungi of apples, such as Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum, was evaluated in vitro using poisoned food (PF) and volatile assay (VA) techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this oil was 2000 ppm against the two isolates tested when using PF technique, while, using the VA assay, the MICs were 1000 and 2000 ppm for B. cinerea and P. expansum, respectively. The production of fungal spores was completely inhibited at 1000 ppm for B. cinerea using the VA test and at 2000 ppm for both phytopathogens when using the PF technique. In addition, a molecular docking study was performed to predict the inhibitory activities of the main bioactive compounds of EO against the biosynthesis of 14 alpha-sterol demethylase enzymes (PDB ID: 1EA1). The docked complexes were tested to check their stability by a 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation.

Atividade inibitória in vitro de óleos essenciais derivados de especiarias para Aspergillus fumigatus multirresistente obtido de ração de aves

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is a respiratory pathogen, which has the potential to cause brooder pneumonia in poultry chicks and aspergillosis in birds and farmers. Frequent and irrational use of antifungals has led to the development of resistance in the fungal species. The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) from four different spices against multi-drug resistant (MDR) A. fumigatus isolated from 40 poultry feed samples. Twenty fungal isolates were identified to be A. fumigatus based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, which were confirmed by targeting and amplifying the species-specific rodA gene (313 bp). Five (5/20) isolates were found to be MDR by the disk diffusion method. EOs were tested as an alternative strategy for 5 MDR isolates of A. fumigatus. Clove EO provided better activity by 6 log10 reduction for 30-90 min exposure as compared to other EOs, therefore, shortlisted for well-diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Clove EO provided promising results as compared to fluconazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, nystatin and voriconazole as its mean ZOI (39.6 ± 6.34) were better than all other commercial antifungals (p< 0.001). Mean MIC was reported to be 0.195 ± 0.11 µl/ml. Safety testing of the EO produced 74-82% cell viability for the range of 0.390 - 0.097 µl/ml as compared to DMSO. Findings of the present study highlight that clove EO can be source of a good therapeutic agent for infections of MDR isolates of A. fumigatus.

Effectiveness of Essential Oils from Three Medicinal Plants Against Bayoud Disease (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Plant extracts and essential oils are promising new sources of non-toxic alternatives to chemicals substances. They are used for their antimicrobial properties against plant diseases of fungal origin, against bacterial, and those of virus origin. This study was carried out to study the antifungal activity of Artemisia herba-alba, Foeniculum vulgare and Citrus sinensis essential oils against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. Essential oil was extracted by steam distillation. Antifungal activity of essential oil was investigated by macro-broth method of dilution by a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against this pathogen. The yield of essential oil obtained by steam distillation of Foeniculum vulgare samples was 2.31% greater than that obtained from Citrus sinensis sample which was 1.8%, followed by Artemisia herba alba samples 1.22%. Regarding antifungal activity, the results revealed a better inhibitory activity of Artemisia herba alba against the tested strainsat the lowest LC50 values (0.1 µl/ml). On the other hand, Foeniculum vulgare, Artemisia herba alba and Citrus sinensis essential oils show similar MICs of mycelial growth against this pathogen. The value of the MIC and CMF is greater than 50 µl/ml for the three essential oils.

Potential antifungal activity of essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf and its performances as biostabilization of tiger nut milk (Cyperus exculentus)

Tiger nut milk is not heated during processing and is usually contaminated with spoilage microorganisms due to its high starch content. The present study aims to preserve tiger nut milk using essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus as an antimicrobial agent. The antifungal activity was evaluated by agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods. Storage tests were performed at 4°C by incorporating tiger nut milk with different concentrations of EO (i.e. 0.05; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20; 0.25; 0.30; 0.35; 0.40; 0.45 and 0.50 (% v/v)), after which the physicochemical and hygienic characteristics were assessed. The EO showed significant (p ˂ 0.05) inhibitory activity against A. niger (19.89 mm), C. albicans (26.30 mm), C. kefir (26.45 mm), C. tropicalis (27.31 mm), R. nigricans (27.45 mm) and S. cerevisiae KVL013 (25.52 mm) with MICs 15.62 (A. niger), 0.98 (C. albicans), 1.63 (C. kefir), 1.95 (C. tropicalis), 7.81 (R. nigricans) and 0.98 (S. cerevisiae KVL013). The results of the shelf-life monitoring showed that the milk samples were free of total and thermotolerant coliforms, Bacillus spores and sulphite-reducing anaerobes spores. At a concentration of 0.40 to 0.50% of EO and after 21 days, flora microbial load decreased in unpasteurized milk from 103 to 102 (CFU/mL) and yeasts/moulds decreased from 102 to 101 (CFU/mL), whereas in pasteurized milk, flora decreased from 103 to 10 (CFU/mL), and yeasts/moulds decreased from 102 to less than 101 (CFU/mL). This shows that the tiger nut milk remained stable and its hygienic quality complied with the standards set for spoilage flora and spores for 21 days at 4°C under refrigeration. The results obtained indicated that EO of C. citratus has strong antimicrobial activity on spoilage flora and the stabilisation concentration can be modulated for sensory acceptability.

Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil and Plant-Derived Natural Compounds against Aspergillus flavus.

Aspergillus flavus is a facultative parasite that contaminates several important food crops at both the pre- and post-harvest stages. Moreover, it is an opportunistic animal and human pathogen that causes aspergillosis diseases. A. flavus also produces the polyketide-derived carcinogenic and mutagenic secondary metabolite aflatoxin, which negatively impacts global food security and threatens human and livestock health. Recently, plant-derived natural compounds and essential oils (EOs) have shown great potential in combatting A. flavus spoilage and aflatoxin contamination. In this review, the in situ antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of EOs are discussed. The mechanisms through which EOs affect A. flavus growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis are then reviewed. Indeed, several involve physical, chemical, or biochemical changes to the cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, and related metabolic enzymes and genes. Finally, the future perspectives towards the application of plant-derived natural compounds and EOs in food protection and novel antifungal agent development are discussed. The present review highlights the great potential of plant-derived natural compounds and EOs to protect agricultural commodities and food items from A. flavus spoilage and aflatoxin contamination, along with reducing the threat of aspergillosis diseases.