The in vitro antifungal effect of the essential oil of Citrus medica L. on storage fungi of Arachis hypogea L. stored for 6 months was evaluated using the disc diffusion agar method. The oil exhibited a wide spectrum of fungitoxicity, inhibiting all 14 fungus species tested. Thus, the oil can be exploited as a fumigant against storage fungi for the preservation of stored legume seeds due to its wide range of activity, non-phytotoxicity, and long-term persistence of fungitoxicity. | Turk J Bot 32 (2008) 161-164 © TÜB‹TAK Research Note Physicochemical Properties and Fungitoxicity of the Essential Oil of Citrus medica L. against Groundnut Storage Fungi 1 2 3 3, Emmanuel Peter ESSIEN , Joseph Peter ESSIEN , Basil Nse ITA , Godwin Asukwo EBONG * 1 Department of Botany, University of Uyo, P. M. B 1017, Uyo-NIGERIA 2 Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, 1017, Uyo-NIGERIA 3 Department of Chemistry, University of Uyo, 1017, Uyo-NIGERIA Received: Accepted: Abstract: The in vitro antifungal effect of the essential oil of Citrus medica L. on storage fungi of Arachis hypogea L. stored for 6 months was evaluated using the disc diffusion agar method. The oil exhibited a wide spectrum of fungitoxicity, inhibiting all 14 fungus species tested. Thus, the oil can be exploited as a fumigant against storage fungi for the preservation of stored legume seeds due to its wide range of activity, non-phytotoxicity, and long-term persistence of fungitoxicity. Key Words: Citrus medica, essential oil, fungitoxicity, storage fungi, groundnut Introduction Legume seed deterioration during storage is a major constraint to profitable grain legume crop production in Nigeria and in some other semi-humid tropic regions, since it causes considerable loss. Hal and Harman (1991) estimated post harvest loss due to mould attacks to be approximately 30%-80% in grain legumes in semi-arid Africa. This figure is alarming considering the value of grain legumes as a major source of plant protein on the continent. Plant products have recently proven their usefulness in providing less phytotoxic, more systemic, and easily biodegradable fungicides, in contrast to many synthetic fungicides that have many adverse effects (Jadhav & Jadhav, 1984; Hal & Harman, 1991). The alternative choice may be the use of botanical fungicides that are easily biodegradable and safe, with minimal environmental impact and danger to consumers (Fawecett & .
