In-vitro Study of Anti-Fusarium Effect of Thymol, Carvacrol, Eugenol and Menthol

This study aims at shedding light on the anti-fusarium action of some Major Compounds (MCs) of Essential oils (EOs). To this end, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi (Fod) was used as fungal model. A screening of four MCs was conducted in order to identify the most active one with the highest anti-Fusarium effect, using both agar and broth dilution methods. The obtained data revealed that thymol, with its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values was the most effective, with concentrations between 0.25 mg ml -1 and 1 mg ml -1 . Among the four compounds tested, thymol and carvacrol showed anti-Fusarium activity by inhibiting the germination and destroying Fod conidia. As a preliminary test, we have also tested the applicability of thymol on soil disinfection, with very promising results. The antifungal activity of the four MCs used in this study involves inhibition of germination and destruction of Fod conidia. Thymol, the most effective MC, has shown great effect on soil disinfection. This work is a preliminary contribution aiming at developing an alternative product, environmental friendly, safe for both the workers and consumers, with high anti-Fusarium activity.