A study on the Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Thymus caramanicus, Thymus daenensis and Ziziphora clinopodiaides

Background and Objectives: Essential oils (EOs) possess a wide range of significant properties including antiphlogistic, spasmolytic and antinociceptive effects. In this study, we use EOs from Thymus daenensis, Thymus caramanicus and Ziziphora clinopodiodes. Materials and Methods: In this study, the plants were collected from the Botany Department, were air dried, grinded and set for extraction with a Clevenger-type apparatus, according to the procedure described in the European pharmacopoeia. In vitro antifungal activity of the EOs was evaluated according to Agar dilution method by determining the radial growth rate and inhibition ratio (%). Results: Among the three EOs, T. daenensis contains the highest level of thymol (77.62%). Zizipora clinopodioides contains pulegone (31.21%), menth-3-en-8-0l (23.82%), menthol (7.21%), borneol (2.25%), carvacrol (5.38%) and piperitone (5.55%). Only the 9 µL concentration of Z. clinopodioides EO can prevent mycelium growth of both fungi for 7 days. Thymus caramanicus contains carvacrol (65.52%), p-cymene (13.21%), gamma-terpinene (4.44%), thymol (4.14%) and linalool (2.63). Conclusions: According to the results, that compound thymol is more effective than carvacrol in preventing   the growth of fungi. Keywords: Essential oils, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Natural antifungal