Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic potential of essential oils from an endemic Thymus fontanesii Boiss and Reut.

Phytotherapy is based on the use of the plant products for the treatment of human, animal or vegetable diseases. With these aims, we studied the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of some aromatic plants. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and tested against Aspergillus flavus. Thymus fontanesii, Ammoides verticillata and Mentha pulegium provided highest yield: 3.09%, 3.85%, and 3.25% respectively. The antifungal screening of these aromatic plants against Aspergillus flavus by direct contact method shows a high antifungal potential at Thymus fontanesii with a low amount of essential oil, which the CMI are 0.75μg/mL. This activity is characterized by a fungistatic action. The significant decrease in the production of aflatoxin B observed on CCM and reducing amount of AFB1 determined experimentally let hope for an antiaflatoxigenic effect linked to the use of Thymus fontanesii essential oil.