Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of Cinnamomum camphora essential oil

Chiral compounds have shown antimicrobial activity, enantioselectively. Leaf oil composition of Cinnamomum camphora was studied using GC-FID, SPME-GC-FID, enantio-GC and GC/MS techniques. Camphor exists in two chiral forms and contributes major percentage to C. camphora essential oil (68.4–81.2%). The results showed (1R)-(+)-camphor as major enantiomer (ee > 99%). The biological potential of essential oil, (1R)-(+)- and (1S)-(−)-camphor was investigated against Choanephora cucurbitarum, a Withania wet rot pathogen. The activity was evaluated against fungal growth and morphological changes in the hyphae of C. cucurbitarum, after 18, 21 and 24 h of treatments. A significant growth inhibition in C. cucurbitarum was observed against (1R)-(+)-camphor. Further, in comparison to (1R)-(+)-camphor, C. camphora oil revealed better activity. Fungal growth inhibition by (1R)-(+)-camphor and plant essential oil was due to cytoplasm coagulation and hyphal lysis of C. cucurbitarum. Moreover, C. camphora essential oil could be used in the preparation of strong fungistatic agent against C. cucurbitarum infection.