Chemical composition of Cupressus sempervirens L. and Thuja occidentalis L. essential oils and their activity against phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract

This article presents the results of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) study of the chemical composition of Cupressus sempervirens L. (Mediterranean cypress) and Thuja occidentalis L. (northern white-cedar) essential oils, as well as their activity against four strains of pathogenic fungi infecting crops. Our observations revealed high concentrations of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoteppernic and sesquitepernic alcohols, ethers and esters, and flavonoids in the essential oil samples of both plants. Notably, the growth of pathogens was significantly inhibited by α-pinene (44.73% for C. sempervirens and 27.74% for T. occidentalis) and α-terpineol (4.04% and 5.14%, respectively) found at high levels. The selective effect exerted by all the compounds on the strains of the phytopathogenic fungi tested was established. C. sempervirens L. essential oil displayed the highest antifungal activity against fusarial wilt (Fusarium graminearum FG-30) and snow mold (Microdochium nivale) pathogens.

Keywords

• essential oil
• cupressus sempervirens l.
• thuja occidentalis l.
• gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
• biologically active substances
• fungicidal activity
• fungistatic activity
• phytopathogenic fungi