Survey of Thymus migricus essential oil on aflatoxin inhibition in Aspergillus flavus

Essential oil components as result of non host disease resistance of plants have high capability to introduce as alternative of chemical pesticides. Thymus migricus essential oil was selected to investigation of its antifungal activity on survival and growth of Aspergillus flavus. For obtain essential oil first Leaves and flowers of Th. migricus collected then dried. The Essential oil was extracted by means of hydro-distillation and afterwards GC-MS analysis was performed to identify their components. The main constituents that resulted were Thymol (44.9%), Geraniol (10.8%), gamma-Terpinene (10.3%), Citronellol (8.5%) and p-Cymene (7.2%). EC50 and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of Th. migricus oil against A. flavus was 324.42 microl/l and 451.62 microl/l, respectively. Whereas EC50 and MIC for chemical thiabendazol was 650 microl/l and 1635 microl/l, respectively. The EC50 and MIC concentrations of Th. migricus oil in antifungal activity examination were used in aflatoxin inhibition test. Result of HPTLC measurement showed that both of concentrations inhibit aflatoxin production completely compares to control with 7.63 ppm aflatoxin production. In other word, Th. migricus oil can suppress aflatoxin production in concentrations lower than EC50 for mycelium growth.