Chemical composition and antifungal activity of lavender (Lavandula stoechas) oil

The essential oil of Lavandula stoechas was examined by GC and GC-MS. Discs (5 MMI.d.) of the tested fungi (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Botritys cinerea) were inoculated separately onto each assay plate and incubated at 25oC for 7 days. The oil yield of dried parts (v/dw) obtained by hydrodistillation was 2.9%. Thirty-two compounds representing 98.3% of the essential oil were determined. Linalool (49.9%), linalyl acetate (14.4%), lavandulyl acetate (5.7%), α-terpineol (5.6%), terpinene-4-ol (5.1%), lavandulol (3.7%), (E)-β-ocimene (2.6%) and (Z)-β-ocimene (2.4%) were identified as the main constituents of the oil. In addition, both doses of the lavender oil showed varying levels of inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of tested fungi used in the experiment. The results demonstrated the strongest effect on B.cinerea, followed by A.alternata and F.oxysporum. The inhibitory effect is probably dependent on the concentration of essential oils.