@article{ajmr20221013,
author={{Kamga, Vicky Arlette Medzue Souop and Ayong, Mo?se Ntah A and Talla, Christian Fokam and Pamela, Kamsu Noumegna and Tchameni, S¨¦verin Nguemezi and Jazet, Pierre Michel Dongmo},
title={Microbicidal Effect of Thyme (<i>Thymus vulgaris</i>) Essential Oil against <i>Phytophthora megakarya</i>, the Causative Agent of Cocoa Black Pod Disease},
journal={American Journal of Microbiological Research},
volume={10},
number={1},
pages={17--22},
year={2022},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmr/10/1/3},
issn={2328-4137},
abstract={In subtropical countries, black pod caused by <i>Phytophthora megakarya</i><i> </i>is one of the main diseases causing drastic losses of cocoa. The synthetic chemicals used to control the pathogen, although effective, could be harmful to Human and environment. The use of natural substances such as essential oils (EO) is necessary. This work aimed to determine the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antimicrobial potential against <i>Phytophthora</i><i> </i><i>megakarya</i>. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography couple to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity was done <i>in</i><i> </i><i>vitro</i><i> </i>by agar incorporation and liquid dilution. <i>In situ</i> tests were carried out by spraying the EO on the cocoa cortex after and before infected by the pathogen respectively, for the preventive test and curative healing. Results showed that, the yield of thyme EO was 0.42% with thymol (32.41%), ?-terpinene (19.65%) and p- cymene (19.43%) as major components. At 225¦Ěl/l, the oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth of <i>P. megakarya</i> while at 400¦Ěl/l this oil completely inhibited the germination of zoospores. At 1125 ¦Ěl/l, thyme EO completely inhibited the necrosis on cocoa pods for preventive test. At the same concentration, the oil significantly reduced (40 %) the necrosis during the curative healing. There was significant correlation between EO concentration and the necrosis formation. These results showed that, thyme essential oil could be used as alternative to fight against black pod disease. However, the formulation of oil and fields essay are needed.},
doi={10.12691/ajmr-10-1-3}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}