ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Evaluation of Cinnamomum verum Essential
Oils against Ochratoxin A-producing Aspergillus
parasiticus in Stored Wheat, Maize and Rice
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1
Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Lahore 54000, Pakistan
2
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Biosciences,
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Submission date: 2022-05-30
Final revision date: 2022-09-24
Acceptance date: 2022-10-02
Online publication date: 2022-12-20
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Corresponding author
Shahan Azeem
Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(1):667-676
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ABSTRACT
Eight essential oils: Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Eucalyptus globulus, Syzygium
aromaticum, Nigella sativa, Elettaria cardamomum, Cinnamomum verum and Cuminum cyminum
were evaluated for antifungal activity against Ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing Aspergillus parasiticus
(n = 3) using grains as a substrate. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and log reduction assay
were used to evaluate the antifungal activity. Both the highest zone of inhibition (24.00±2.00 mm) and
least minimum inhibitory concentration (1.04±0.45 μg/mL) were recorded for C. verum essential oils.
By log reduction assay S. aromaticum, C. verum and E. globulus essential oils exhibited antifungal
activity after 15 min of exposure. After 30, 60 and 90 min of exposure of A. parasiticus spores to
selected essential oils, complete inactivation of fungal spores (6±0.00 log reduction) was observed.
In stored grains, inoculated with A. parasiticus, the lowest OTA (8.16±0.05 ng/g) was observed at 10%
moisture in broken rice. An increase in OTA production was noticed with an increase in moisture
from 10-40% but this trend reversed at 50-70% moisture. No increase in OTA in un-inoculated and
C. verum essential oil-treated inoculated grains was noticed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
(GC-MS) analysis indicated the highest percentage of oleic acid (23.7%) in C. verum. Cinnamomum
verum (cinnamon) oil is an effective and safe antifungal agent against A. parasiticus in stored grains.