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Brazilian Journal of Microbiology logoLink to Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
. 2008 Mar 1;39(1):91–97. doi: 10.1590/S1517-838220080001000021

Effect of cinnamomum zeylanicum blume essential oil on the growth and morphogenesis of some potentially pathogenic Aspergillus species

Egberto Santos Carmo 1, Edeltrudes de Oliveira Lima 2, Evandro Leite de Souza 3,*, Frederico Barbosa de Sousa 4
PMCID: PMC3768346  PMID: 24031186

Abstract

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume is known for a wide range of medicinal properties. This study aimed to assess the interference of C. zeylanicum essential oil on the growth and morphogenesis of some potentially pathogenic Aspergillus species. The essential oil presented strong antifungal effect causing the growth inhibition of the assayed strains and development of large growth inhibition zones. MIC50 and MIC90 values were 40 and 80 μL/mL, respectively. 80, 40 and 20 μL/mL of the oil strongly inhibited the radial mycelial growth of A. niger, A. flavus and A. fumigatus along 14 days. 80 and 40 μL/mL of the oil caused a 100% inhibition of the fungal spore germination. Main morphological changes observed under light microscopy provided by the essential oil in the fungal strains were decreased conidiation, leakage of cytoplasm, loss of pigmentation and disrupted cell structure indicating fungal wall degeneration. It is concluded that C. zeylanicum essential oil could be known as potential antifungal compound, particularly, to protect against the growth of Aspergillus species.

Keywords: Aspergillus, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, essential oil, antifungal activity

INTRODUCTION

Aspergilli are ubiquitous fungi found in air, soil, plants and decayed organic materials. Human contamination by Aspergillus has been related to the inhalation of conidia, colonization of wounds and/or penetration in human tissues through surgical interventions (13,30). Aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection which can attack the lungs, ears, eyes, digestive system, kidneys and brain (12,19).

Aspergillosis generally rises as a respiratory disease characterized for the presence of granulomatous lesions in lungs or bronchi, followed by dissemination to other organs throughout the bloodstream (3,14). Cutaneous aspergillosis, aspergillar otomycosis, aspergillar onychomycosis, invasive lung aspergillosis, aspergillar sinusitis, immunoallergic aspergillosis, aspergilloma and mycotoxicosis are some clinical forms of aspergillosis (19,30).

The growth of Aspergilli in foodstuffs is toxicologically significant since some species are known to produce mycotoxins. Aflatoxins-B1, B2, G1 and G2 (produced by A. flavus and A. parasiticus), aspergillic acid (produced by A. flavus), hydroxyaspergillic acid (produced by A. flavus), ochratoxins (produced by A. ochraceus), oxalic acid (produced by A. flavus and A. glaucus), terreic acid (produced by A. terreus) are some mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species (6,37). The consumption of mouldy products can cause human or animal mycotoxicoses, and more importantly some mycotoxins are potent carcinogens (23,26).

Resistance of Aspergilli to some clinically used antifungals brings a worrying clinical prognostic in people attacked by aspergillosis (11,14). For over fifty years antibiotics have been applied for treating or inhibiting infections. The wide use and sometimes misuse of chemo-antimicrobials in both human and animal medicine has been responsible for the selection of resistant strains (17,21).

Regarding the increasing clinical importance given to fungi causing infections and the development of drug resistance many scientific studies focusing the antifungal properties of plant products have been carried out (4,41). Antifungal effect of medicinal plants and derivatives has been scientifically proven in assays with essential oils, extracts and isolated phytochemicals (20,26,42). Essential oils as antimicrobial agents present two main characters: their natural origin generally means more safety to people and environment; and they can be considered at low risk for development of microbial resistance since they are mixtures of compounds which may present different mechanisms of antimicrobial activity (15,29).

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Lauraceae, has many biological properties as analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, haemostatic, insecticidal and parasiticide. Barks from branches, without the epidermis and subereous layer, is marketed as the commercial cinnamon which has long use in perfumery, culinary and native medicine fields (2,20). Previous research has revealed interesting antimicrobial effect in C. zeylanicum essential oil (10,27,28). Camphene, linalool, α-phelendrene, α-terpinene, limonene, β-cymene, â-cariophyllene, cinnamaldheyde and eugenol are some of the compounds found in C. zeylanicum essential oil (24,44).

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. zeylanicum Blume essential oil on the growth and morphogenesis of some Aspergillus species known as potential etiological agent of fungal infections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Essential oil

C. zeylanicum Blume essential oil was supplied by Ferquima Ind. Com. Ltda. (Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil) and its quality parameters (appearance, color, purity, odor, density -20°C, refraction index -20°C) were described in an accompanying technical report. The essential oil was assayed at concentrations ranging from 320 to 5 μL/mL and the solutions were prepared according to Souza et al. (42).

Fungal strains

Aspergillus fumigatus (ATCC-16913 and ATCC-40640), A. niger (P-03 and LM-257), A. flavus (ATCC-16013 and LM-247), A. parasiticus (ATCC-15517 and NRRL-2999), A. terreus (UP-03 and ATCC-7860) and A. ochraceus (ATCC-7860 and LM06) strains were used as test microorganisms. These strains were obtained from the Microorganisms Collection, Laboratory of Clinical Mycology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil. Stock cultures were maintained on Sabouraud agar (SA) slants and stored in a refrigerator (7°C, ± 1°C).

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration - MIC

The MIC of the essential oil was determined by a qualitative method using the solid medium diffusion procedure (22). For this, 1 mL of the fungal homogenous suspension (approximately 106 spores/mL) prepared according to Rana et al. (32) was uniformly spread on sterile SA Petri dishes. After inoculum absorption by SA, wells were made using sterile glass stems (diameter 6 mm) which were filled with 50 μL of the essential oil solution. The incubation period was 7-10 days at 25-28°C. At the end of the incubation period, the MIC was the lowest essential oil concentration showing growth inhibition zones with diameter equal to or greater than 10 mm (41,42).

Amphotericin B (100 μg/mL) and ketoconazole (50 μg/mL) were used as control using the solid medium diffusion procedure using filter paper discs (Cecon, diameter 6 mm) (7). The control of viability of the assayed fungal strains was carried out by observing their capability of growing on SA without adding the essential oil or standard antifungals.

Mycelial growth inhibition

Inhibition of the fungal mycelial growth was determined using the poisoned substrate technique by the daily measure of the radial mycelial growth on SA added of 80, 40 and 20 μL/ mL of the essential oil (1,15). For this, a 2 mm plug taken from a 10-days-old fungal colony cultivated on SA slants was placed on the center of the sterile SA Petri dishes containing the essential oil and incubated at 25-28°C. At different time intervals (1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 days) of incubation, the radial mycelial growth was measured (mm) using calipers. The control was the observation of the radial mycelial growth on SA added of ketoconazole (50 μg/mL) and without adding the essential oil.

Spore germination assay

An aliquot of 0.2 mL of each concentration of the essential oil (80, 40 and 20 μL/mL) was mixed with 0.2 mL of the fungal spore suspension (approximately 106 spores/mL). The mixture was placed on separated glass slides which were incubated in a moisture chamber at 25-28°C for 24 hours. At the end of the incubation period, each slide was fixed with lacto-phenol-cotton blue stain and observed under the microscope for spore germination. Control without essential oil was tested in the same way. About 200 spores were counted and the per cent of spore germination was calculated in comparison with the control assay (32,38).

Fungal morphogenesis study

For evaluating morphological alterations caused by the essential oil in A. niger P-03 a sample of mycelium was taken from the periphery of a 10-days-old fungal colony grown on SA at 25-28°C containing the essential oil (80 μL/mL). The samples were fixed in lacto-phenol–cotton blue stain and observed under the microscope at 400 x to examine morphological abnormalities. Control assay without essential oil was tested in the same way (38).

All antifungal assays were carried out in duplicate and the results were expressed as an average of the two parallel assays.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences (P < 0.05) by the Tukey test in the mycelial radial growth assays. For this the Sigma stat 2.03 computer program was used.

RESULTS

Results of the inhibitory effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil in a solid medium on some potentially pathogenic Aspergillus species are shown in Table 1. The oil at 320 - 80 μL/mL strongly inhibited the growth of all assayed strains. 40 μL/mL was the MIC50 (lowest concentration causing a growth inhibition of 50 percent or more of the assayed strains), while 80 μL/mL was the MIC90 (lowest concentration causing a growth inhibition of 90 percent or more of the assayed strains) found for C. zeylanicum essential oil. The essential oil at 320 to 40 μL/mL provided growth inhibition zones with diameter equal to or higher than the ones caused by standard antifungals (amphotericim B and ketoconazole).

Table 1.

Inhibitory effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil on the growth of some Aspergillus species (results expressed in millimeters of mould growth inhibition zones).

Moulds C. zeylanicum essential oil (μL/mL) Control
320 160 80 40 20 10 5 Amp B a (100 μg/mL) Ketoc b (50 μg/mL) Viab c
A. fumigatus ATCC-16913 22 20 18 12 8 0 0 8 18 +
A. fumigatusATCC-40640 25 20 17 13 0 0 0 0 10 +
A. niger P-03 24 17 12 0 0 0 0 12 10 +
A. niger LM-257 22 20 15 6 0 0 0 8 10 +
A. flavusATCC-16013 20 17 10 11 0 0 0 0 24 +
A. flavusLM-247 18 16 11 10 0 0 0 7 15 +
A. parasiticus ATCC-15517 17 11 8 0 0 0 0 8 20 +
A. parasiticusNRRL-2999 20 17 12 13 0 0 0 7 20 +
A. terreus UP-03 17 15 13 10 0 0 0 0 18 +
A. terreus ATCC-7860 20 18 14 12 0 0 0 0 20 +
A. ochraceus ATCC-7860 26 20 17 15 0 0 0 5 12 +
A. ochraceus LM-06 23 20 17 15 0 0 0 0 12 +
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a

amphotericin B;

b

ketoconazole;

c

strain viability: ability of the strain to grow in Sabouraud agar without adding essential oil or synthetic antibiotic.

Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show the effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil (80, 40 and 20 μL/mL)and ketoconazole on the radial mycelial growth of A. flavus LM-247, A. fumigatus ATCC-40640 and A. niger P-03 using the poisoned substrate technique. The essential oil provided a fungicidal effect noted by total inhibition of the mycelial growth along 14 days of exposure. The oil provided significant (P < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth when compared with the control assay and ketoconazole. Only A. niger showed small mycelial growth up to 8 days of exposure when exposed to 20 μL/mL of the oil.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil and ketoconazole on the radial mycelial growth kinetic of A. flavus LM-247.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil and ketoconazole on the radial mycelial growth kinetic of A. fumigatus ATCC-40640

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil and ketoconazole on the radial mycelial growth kinetic of A. niger P-03

Ketoconazole showed no significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the mycelial growth after 14 days of exposure in comparison with the control assay. Ketoconazole was inserted in the radial mycelial growth assay because no tested strain showed resistance to it in the MIC assay.

Results obtained from the effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil (80, 40 and 20 μL/mL) on spore germination of A. flavus LM-247, A. fumigatus ATCC-40640 and A. niger P-03 are showed in Table 2. The oil at different concentrations caused an interesting inhibition of the spore germination. A 100% inhibition was found at 80 and 40 μL/mL of the oil, while it was over 90 and 80% at 20 μL/mL for A. flavus and A. fumigatus, respectively. A. niger presented a 25% of spore germination inhibition at 20 μL/mL. Spores which germinated when exposed to 20 μL/mL of essential oil produced smaller germ tubes (early growing hyphae) in comparison with the control assay (data not showed).

Table 2.

Inhibition of C. zeylanicum essential oil on spore germination of Aspergillus species (results expressed in percent of spore germination inhibition in comparison with the control assay).

Moulds C. zeylanicum essential oil
20 μL/mL 40 μL/mL 80 μL/mL
A. flavus LM-247 92% 100% 100%
A. fumigatus ATCC-40640 86% 100% 100%
A. niger P-03 25% 100% 100%
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Observations of A. niger examined under the light microscope at 400 x magnification after exposure to 80 μL/mL of C. zeylanicum essential oil showed some morphological abnormalities (Fig. 4). Microscopic examination of the control mycelium (untreated cell) showed a regular cell structure with homogenous cytoplasm, clearly visible sterigmata bearing conidia and profuse conidiation on a large and radiated conidial head. The mycelial growth of A. niger in the medium containing the essential oil appeared to present morphological changes with a heterogeneous mycelial structure. In addition, the alterations observed included decreased conidiation (lack of sporulation), visible loss of cytoplasm content, loss of pigmentation, aberrant development of hyphae and oil produced smaller germ tubes (early growing hyphae) in fragmentation. The essential oil clearly caused reduction in comparison with the control assay (data not showed). conidial heads, with distorted presence of conidiophores.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Light microphotographs of A. niger mycelium growing on AS without or with C. zeylanicum essential oil during 7 days of incubation at 25-28°C. (I) Control conidial head of A. niger, large and radiated, development of vesicle on conidiophore, conidia clearly visible, Bar 100 μm. (II-III) Modifications of conidial head of A. niger induced by 80 μL/ mL of C. zeylanicum essential oil showing clear decrease in conidiation, Bar 100 μm.

DISCUSSION

This report describes the effectiveness of C. zeylanicum essential oil against Aspergillus species by different testing procedures. A wide range of antifungal activities was found. Preliminary experiments were carried out in vitro using the solid medium diffusion procedure in order to found the MIC of the essential oil on 12 Aspergillus strains on the basis of the diameter of mould growth inhibition zones. The essential oil up to 80 μL/mL caused a strong mould growth inhibition. Anti-Aspergillus activity presented a dose dependent effect.

The poisoned substrate technique showed a strong fungicidal effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil at 80 and 40 μL/ mL with a sustained and broad spectrum of inhibition over time. However, at 20 μL/mL of the oil occurred a steady slow growth rate during the first part of the period and disappearing after 8 days of exposure. Soliman & Badea (40) reported complete inhibition of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. ochraceus by cinnamon oil (< 500 ppm). It has been reported that the inhibition of mould mycelial growth (fungistatic or fungicidal effect) in solid or liquid medium by essential oils over a wide range of concentrations has been accompanied by concomitant decease or total inhibition of mycotoxins production (e.g. by Aspergillus parasiticus, A. ochraceus, Fusarium graminearum, F. proliferatum) (4,5,15,26,33).

The essential oil presented an intense suppressing effect on the fungal spore germination. In agreement with earlier researches (32,38) the inhibition of spore germination caused by C. zeylanicum essential oil was in a dosage response manner. The capability of essential oils to inhibit fungal spore germination has been noted in other studies using different testing methods (31,34,38).

Earlier reports showed that some essential oils are able to inhibit the mycelial growth of fungi in laboratorial media and foodstuffs (4,33,43). However, the antifungal property of different essential oils ranges from a narrow to wide spectrum depending on the assayed essential oil, its concentration and the target fungal (8,15,18,36,46).

The antifungal property of phytochemicals found in C. zeylanicum essential oil (e.g. mono- and sesqui-terpenes, phenols, cynnamaldheyde) could involve inhibition of extracellular enzymes synthesis and the disruption of the cell wall structure resulting in lack of cytoplasm, damage of integrity and ultimately the mycelial death. Cytoplasm granulation, cytoplasm membrane rupturing, cytoplasm hyperacidity, break down of the electron transport chain, H+-ATPase and channel inhibition are some structural and metabolic events possibly related to the antifungal property of essential oils (9,10,25). It is also reported that essential oils are able to interfere into the mitochondrial membrane system by a membrane-disruptive activity closely associated with the enzymatic reactions, such as respiratory electron transport, protein transport and coupled phosphorylation (4,35).

Velluti et al. (11) report that eugenol (a phenolic compound known as major component of C. zeylanicum essential oil) presents its antimicrobial activity attributed to the presence of an aromatic nucleus and a phenolic OH group known to be reactive and to form hydrogen bonds with active sites of target enzymes. Although, the antimicrobial activity of an essential oil is attributed mainly to its major components, the synergistic or antagonistic effect of compounds in minor percentage in the mixture has to be considered (15,42).

The observations of light microscopy showed that the main morphological changes caused by C. zeylanicum essential oil on A. niger were associated with the degeneration of fungal hyphae causing leakage of cytoplasm content and loss of conidiation. These modifications in the cytological structure may be related to the interference of the essential oil with the enzymes responsible for wall synthesis as previously cited by other researchers (39,45). De Billerbeck et al. (16) noted that Cymbopogon nardus (L.) W. Watson essential oil was able to cause morphological changes in A. niger including heterogeneous mycelium structure, granular/vesicular aspect of the cytoplasm content and complete degeneration of fungal hyphae resulting in an empty hyphae tip and cytoplasm retraction. Ultrastructural changes were smooth cell walls, depressions (like craters) on the cell surface. Such changes could be related to the interference of its components on enzymatic reactions of wall synthesis, which affects fungal morphogenesis and growth.

Sharma and Tripathi (38) noted that Citrus sinensis (L.) Osberk essential oil caused reduction in the conidial heads, poorly developed sterigmata and distorted (squashed and flattened) conidiophores in A. niger. Anomalous empty, budded and flattened hyphae and cell wall destruction was also found. These effects results in the death of hyphae suggesting that the essential oil antifungal property is a result of its attack on the cell wall and retraction of cytoplasm. Rasooli and Owlia (34) observed that thyme oils provided irreversible damage to cell wall (degenerative changes), cytoplasm membrane (irregular, dissociated from cell wall, invaginated) and nuclear membrane (folding) of Aspergillus parasiticus.

In conclusion, our results indicate that essential oils could find a practical and rational use in the inhibition of mould growth. Particularly, C. zeylanicum essential oil possesses strong anti-Aspergillus activity inhibiting the growth, spore germination and causing deleterious cellular morphological changes of different Aspergillus species. The broad inhibition of fungal growth and sporulation by C. zeylanicum essential oil, in addition to its availability as natural volatile product, justifies its possible rational use as an alternative antifungal compound to control the growth and dissemination of pathogen Aspergillus species.

RESUMO

Efeito do óleo essencial de Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume sobre o crescimento e morfogênese de algumas espécies de Aspergillus potencialmente patogênicas

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume é uma planta conhecida por apresentar ampla variedade de propriedades medicinais. Portanto, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a interferência do óleo essencial C. zeylanicum sobre o crescimento e morfogênese de algumas espécies de Aspergillus potencialmente patogênicas. O óleo essencial testado apresentou potente efeito antifúngico demonstrado pela visualização de grandes zonas de inibição de crescimento de todas as linhagens testadas. Os valores de CIM50 e de CIM90 foram 40 e 80 μL/mL, respectivamente. Nas concentrações de 80, 40 e 20 μL/mL o óleo demonstrou um potente efeito fumigante, inibindo o crescimento micelial radial de A. niger, A. flavus e A. fumigatus ao longo de 14 dias de exposição. A 80 e 40 μL/mL o óleo essencial promoveu inibição de 100% da germinação de esporos, das três espécies de Aspergillus citadas anteriormente. Além disso, alterações morfológicas no crescimento fúngico foram observadas sob microscopia óptica após exposição ao óleo essencial, como diminuição da conidiação, perda citoplasmática, perda de pigmentação e rompimento da estrutura fúngica (hifa) indicando degeneração da parede celular. Diante do exposto, conclui-se que o óleo essencial de C. zeylanicum poderia ser empregado como potente composto antifúngico, particularmente, prevenindo crescimento de espécies de Aspergillus.

Palavras-chave: Aspergillus, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, óleo essencial, atividade antifúngica.

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