Antifungal property zanthoxylum armatum

What is it about?

The aim of this research work was to test the effect of essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum (timur) originated from Salyan (Nepal) against five isolated fungi i.e. Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. and Helminthosporium sp. The essential oil yield of sample from Salyan was 2.29 %. Different concentrations i.e. 5μl, 10μl, 15μl and 20μl of essential oil were used to determine zones of inhibition. The zone of inhibition was highest against Cladosporium sp. at all concentrations, while it was lower against Penicillium and Helminthosporium sp. MIC values of essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum were found to be 0.16mg/ml, 0.14mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.4 mg/ml against Aspergillus sp, Alternaria sp, Penicillium sp, Cladosporium sp and Helminthoaporium sp respectively.

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Why is it important?

As Timur has antifungal property, it can be used as preservative in food commodities to prevent fungal growth.