Summary
The antifungal activity of volatile oil obtained from the leaves of sweet gale (Myrica gale) has been investigated. Fungi, isolated from the leaves ofM. gale, were grown in liquid medium containing the oil and its effect on biomass production was gauged. The oil inhibited growth of all species of fungi to greater or lesser extent. Sesquiterpenes were more active than monoterpenes, and among the sesquiterpenes germacrone was marginally more active than β-elemenone. These results support the proposition that the volatile oil ofM. gale has a role in resistance to fungal pathogens.
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Carlton, R.R., Waterman, P.G., Gray, A.I. et al. The antifungal activity of the leaf gland volatile oil of sweet gale (Myrica gale) (Myricaceae). Chemoecology 3, 55–59 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01261457
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01261457