Chemical analysis and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Achillea atrata L.

Abstract

The essential oil of Achillea atrata L. and its major component, 1,8-cineole, were evaluated for their antifungal activity by the mycelial growth method against 18 micromycetes (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, A. versicolor, A. flavus, A. terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium tricinctum, Penicillium ochrochloron, P. funiculosum, Phomopsis helianthi, Trichoderma viride, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T tonsurans, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum). The oil exhibited strong inhibitory action against all tested micromycetes with MIC values of 2.0-8.0 muL/mL.