Abstract
The study report the antifungal effectiveness of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (MAEO) and its nanoencapsulated form (Ne-MAEO) against the selected fungal species Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporium, and Penicillium glaucum and explored its mode of action. The chemical components of MAEO (γ-terpinene (13.69%), and terpinen-4-ol (33.94%) were explored by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Ne-MAEO was fabricated using chitosan-cinnamic acid gel and characterisation was done for size and functional group interaction and crystallinity by FTIR, DLS and XRD. The minimum inhibitory concentration was ranged between (2.0 to 4.0 µl/ml) against the growth test fungal species, while the aflatoxin B(1) inhibitory potential was reported at 3.0 µl/ml. Furthermore, Ne-MAEO compromised the membrane integrity of cells leading to a decrease in ergosterol content, leakage of cellular content (cation leakage and 260/280 absorbing materials), decrease inmethylglyoxal level, distortion of spore and hyphae, elevated MDA contents, and antioxidant defence system. Further, Ne-MAEO extend the shelf-life of maize seeds against the fungal deterioration without any significant effects on seed germination, hence, it could be used as an eco-friendly alternative to commercial fungicides to protect post-harvest fungal deterioration of food product.