Essential Oil of Ammoides verticillata as Biocides for the Control of Fungal Infections and Devastating Pest (Bactrocera oleae) of olive tree.

Ammoides verticillata Briq belonging to the family Apiaceae is widely used in traditional medicine to prevent and cure various diseases. Plant is used to treat many diseases, including respiratory problems, colds, fever, migraine, trouble gastric and renal infections. As part of our research program on natural compounds with biological properties, the objective of this study was to determine for the first time the antifungal and insecticidal activities of essential oil of Ammoides verticillata.Essential oil was isolated from aerial parts using a Clevenger type apparatus. The chemical composition of essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antifungal activity of the essential oils was investigated against five plant fungi. The fumigation toxicity of essential oil was evaluated against L3 stage, pupae and adults of Bactrocera oleae better known as the olive fly.The essential oil of A. verticillata was characterized principal by carvacrol (44,3%), limonene (19,3%) and p-cymene (19,2%). Essential oil of A. verticillata has a fairly representative antifungal activity with values exceeding 50% and this with minimal doses not exceeding 0.5 mL/L. The oil exhibited insecticidal activity at lowest concentrations (12 µL/L air) against B. oleae with percentages of mortality from 80 to 100% for L3 stage, pupae and adults, respectively.The results showed that essential oil of A. verticillata is a good source of aromatic compounds as carvacrol. The essential oil presented high antifungal and insecticidal properties and so could be used as biocidal agent.