Chemical composition and antifungal potential of Vinca rosea leaf essential oil and extracts from Northern India

Abstract

Advancing understanding of the diverse properties of essential oils has spurred a significant increase in both their production and application. The current research aimed to study the chemical, physical, and antifungal characteristics of Vinca rosea leaves’ essential oil compared to its extract. The leaf’s essential oil and extract composition were examined using GC-MS and further tested for antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum and Bipolaris sorokiniana by poisoned food technique. 34 compounds were identified in leaves essential oil predominantly composed of butylated hydroxytoluene (32.74%). The methanolic extract showed the presence of alkaloids, mainly vindoline, and the non-polar extract showed the presence of cholesterol as the primary compound. The methanolic extract demonstrated stronger antifungal activity against F. graminearum, with ED50 and ED90 of 80 and 240 µg/mL, compared to the essential oil, which had higher ED50 and ED90 of 98 and 865 µg/mL, respectively. In the case of B. sorokiniana, ED50 values of methanol extract, essential oil, and hexane extract were 76, 100, and >1000 µg/ml, respectively, and ED90 were observed to be 290, 875, and >1000 µg/ml. Vinca rosea essential oil can potentially be used to develop natural antifungal agents. For the first time, the chemical composition of the essential oil of V. rosea cultivated in the Northern Indian region is being reported.

Keywords

• Catharanthus roseus
• extraction
• GC–MS analysis
• phytochemical
• Fusarium graminearum
• Bipolaris sorokiniana