Abstract

An attempt to control the growth of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus sp., commonly found on the surface of the areca palm (Areca catechu) leaf sheath, by using clove oil and its main components (eugenol, linalool, and caryophyllene) at concentrations of 5-100μlml^-1 both invitro (agar dilution method) and invivo (dip method) was enhanced by discharging cold atmospheric plasma at 40W for 10min. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clove oil and eugenol was reduced tenfold against all molds at concentrations of 10μlml^-1 and 5μlml^-1, respectively, after cold atmospheric plasma treatment. For the in-vivo assays, clove oil at 30μlml^-1 and eugenol at 10μlml^-1with cold atmospheric plasma could extend the protection against the growth of all molds on the surface of an areca palm leaf sheath from 14 days (control) to at least 12wk at 25°C. In addition, it was observed that eugenol was the main agent responsible for the antifungal activity of clove oil after plasma treatment. This study has demonstrated the good potential of using atmospheric plasma treatment to enhance antifungal activity of clove oil and to control molds on an areca palm leaf sheath. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.