title: Chemoprevention by essential oil of turmeric leaves (Curcuma longa L.) on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production.
abstract: Turmeric is well known for a wide range of medicinal properties. Essential oil of turmeric leaves (Curcuma longa L.) were evaluated at varying concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5% (v/v) in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) broth inoculated with spore suspension of Aspergillus flavus of 10(6)conidia/ml. These were evaluated for their potential in the control of aflatoxigenic fungus A. flavus and aflatoxin production. Turmeric leaf oil exhibited 95.3% and 100% inhibition of toxin production respectively at 1.0% and 1.5%. The extent of inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production was dependent on the concentration of essential oil used. The oil exhibited significant inhibition of fungal growth as well as aflatoxins B(1) and G(1) production. The LD(50) and LD(90) were also determined. GC-MS analysis of the oil showed α-phellandrene, p-cymene and terpinolene as the major components in turmeric leaf oil. The possibility of using these phytochemical components as bio-preservatives for storage of spices is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Indian Institute of Spices Research, P.O. Box 1701, Marikunnu P.O., Calicut 673 012, Kerala, India. intelnidhu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sindhu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chempakam
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Leela
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suseela Bhai
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D030024:Curcuma; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D000081007:Cymenes; D005516:Food Microbiology; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D013729:Terpenes; C007210:4-cymene; C005403:alpha phellandrene; C012596:turmeric extract; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; C027009:terpinolene