Study of The Antifungal and Insecticidal Activity of Extracts Essential Oils and Hydrolat of Mentha rotundifolia

Abstract

Essential oils derived from aromatic or medicinal plants have recently proven useful in a variety of fields including the production of medicines, perfumes, and foodstuffs. The purpose of this research is to determine the antifungal and insecticidal activities of essential oils and hydrolat extracted from Mentha rotundifolia species against pathogenic strains Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and pests Aphis fabae. The hydrodistillation with Clevenger type is used to extract essential oils. The results show that the essential oils yield is in the order of 1.37%, and their chemical composition is determined by the gas chromatography (GC) technique, with pulegone (39,21%) being the main compound obtained. The essential oils of Mentha rotundifolia and its hydrolat have been shown to be effective against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum gloesporioides in terms of antifungal activity recording significant statistical results (p<0,0001). Furthermore, both the liquid and vapour phases of the essential oils inhibit the growth of the fungal strains. The bioassays used to determine essential oils and hydrolat dilution toxi city to pest insects Aphis fabae revealed a very high effect that increases significantly with concentration and time of exposure. Similarly, the repellent effect test demonstrates that these extracts are an effective insect repellent. According to the findings, the plant under consideration is promising as a source of natural pesticides and lends itself well to research in the field of fungi and pest control using biochemical alternatives.