Chemometric Analysis of essential oils from Tunisian Plants: Unravelling the Antifungal Potential against <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>

Abstract

The utilization of essential oils (EOs) as biofungicides holds paramount importance in sustainable agriculture, offering an eco-friendly  alternative to synthetic fungicides. EOs, derived from plant sources, exhibit diverse and potent antifungal properties. This study presents  a comprehensive analysis of EOs derived from Tunisian plants, focusing on their composition and antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed diverse chemical profiles for each EO, with significant variations in  major constituents. Laurel oil emerged as the most potent, exhibiting remarkable inhibitory effects ranging from 3.33% to 95.72% across  different concentrations. Rosemary and sage oils demonstrated notable antifungal potential, especially at higher concentrations, while  citrus oil displayed milder inhibitory effects. The hierarchical clustering of EOs based on inhibition percentages highlighted distinct  clusters, emphasizing the superior antifungal properties of laurel, sage, and rosemary oils. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)  values further underscored the efficacy of rosemary, laurel, and sage oils, positioning them as promising agents for combating B.  cinerea. Correlation analysis between volatile compounds and MIC values identified compounds with strong negative correlations, indicating potential key contributors to antifungal activity. This study contributes valuable insights into the antifungal potential of EOs,  guiding future research on their mechanisms and applications in plant disease management.