Antifungal activity and kinetics of inhibition by essential oil isolated from leaves of Aegle marmelos.

The antifungal activity of essential oil isolated from the leaves of bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb., Rutaceae) has been evaluated using spore germination assay. The oil exhibited variable efficacy against different fungal isolates and 100% inhibition of spore germination of all the fungi tested was observed at 500 ppm. However, the most resistant fungus, Fusarium udum was inhibited 80% at 400 ppm. Kinetic studies showed concentration as well as time dependent complex inhibition of spore germination by the essential oil.