The study assessed Mentha piperita essential oil (MpEO) for its pesticidal efficacy against fungal and insect pests. The chemical profile of MpEO exhibited menthol (46.82%) as major components. The MIC of MpEO against toxigenic fungal isolate Aspergillus flavus LHPCA-08 was recorded at 0.5 mg/ml concentration and also checked aflatoxin B1 production at 0.3 mg/ml concentration as well as showed broad spectrum fungitoxicity (1.0 mg/ml) against all the tested moulds. MpEO also exhibited significant antioxidant potential (IC50 11.4 μg/ml) would be helpful to minimize lipid peroxidation. A noteworthy reduction in ergosterol content with increasing MpEO concentration indicates plasma membrane as the possible target site of antifungal action. The insecticidal activity of MpEO against pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) was directly related to concentration and exposure period. The 100% insect mortality of MpEO was found within two hours at 200 µg/L concentration, and also absolute mortality was recorded when exposed for ten hours at 1 µg/L concentration. The oviposition by C. chinensis was completely checked at 10 µl/L while F1 emergence was completely inhibited at 200 µl/L. During in situ experiments, 92.08% protection of the chickpea from C. chinensis by MpEO showed superiority over malathion, where 89.34% protection was recorded. The MpEO showing potent antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant and insecticidal efficacy hence, may be recommended as plant based preservative in the management of postharvest losses by fungal and insects pests during storage.

Download this article as