Assessment of Physico-chemicaal Properties, Antifungal and Anti-sprouting Efficacy of Essential oils (Moringa oleifera and Sesame indicum Oil)

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the physico-chemical properties, antifungal and anti-sprouting efficacy of Moringa oleifera and Sesame indicum seed oil extracts. Physico-chemical parameters were determined and compared for both oils. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference observed between the refractive values (1.4570 and 1.4633), free fatty acid (FFA) (2.04 and 3.21 mg KOHg-1), acid values (6.08 and 6.43 mg KOHg-1), pH values (4.55 and 5.33), saponification values (210.75 and 215.57 mg of KOHg-1), peroxide values (5.40 and 5.80 meqO2/kg), specific gravity (0.8897 to 0.9161 g/cm3) and yield (8.25% and 32.02%) for cold press extracts of Sesame and Moringa seed oils respectively. In vitro antifungal efficacy of both oils (M. oleifera and S. indicum) against Aspergillus niger shows a range of 43.63% to 58.18% inhibition. No anti-sprouting effect was recorded across all concentrations tested for the two oils. However, the antifungal potential of both seed oil extracts (Moringa and Sesame) exhibited moderate inhibitory properties with the highest percentage inhibition at 48 hrs.