Evaluation of the antifungal effect of oleoresin and essential oil of Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Sucupira), Anacardium occidentale L. (Caju) and Anacardium humile (cajuzinho-do-cerrado)

Abstract

Oil from Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (or Sucupira), Anacardium occidentale L. (Caju) and Anacardium humile (cajuzinho-do-cerrado) in natura and their fractions were evaluated for fungitoxic activities, against two species of filamentous fungi of the genus Fusarium sp and Rhizopus previously identified by their macroscopic (photographic records) and microscopic (microcultivation) characteristics in Petri dishes. Resin oil and essential oil concentrations in the range of 10 to 50% were used for qualitative and quantitative analyses. The samples were placed on 5 mm diameter paper disks and distributed on potato, dextrose, and agar (BDA) medium in Petri plates, inoculated with spores of the microorganisms, and incubated at 28°C for 10 days. Only the BDA medium was used on the plate as a positive control. The qualitative results showed that the oil showed good activity, but one of the fractions of the essential oil of cajuzinho-do-cerrado was highly effective against the Fusarium fungus at the concentration of 10% in 24 h. presenting halo of inhibition of 0.05 ± 0.01 mm, and 0.06 ± 0.01 mm at the concentration of 50% in 24 h. For the Rhizopus fungus, the cashew oil was the one that showed the best performance compared to the control in all concentrations studied during 48 hours, and in the 50% concentration had a maximum growth rate (µ(