Effect of Powder and Essential Oil of Lemon grass on Aflatoxins Production in Dried Water Melon Seed

Antifungal activity of powder and essential oil from dried ground leaves of Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) to control aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus NRRL 5096 on dried water melon seed by sun, oven, smoke and solar drying were studied. The powdered dry leaves and essential oil from lemon grass were mixed with seeds at levels ranging from 5-75 g and 0.1 to 2.0 % respectively. Obtained results revealed that the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) on fungi was mixture of 75g powder and 0.1% oil. Also the moisture content ranged between 8.94-6.26% for dried water melon seed in addition, A. niger was the most frequent genus isolated from water melon seed before and after drying. Toxigenic of A. flavus were isolated from water melon seed dried by sun drying produced aflatoxin B-1 and B-2 at concentration 3.50 and 2.67 mu g/L in liquid broth media respectively. Oven drying was the best method for drying water melon seed. [Eman M. Hegazy. Effect of Powder and Essential Oil of Lemon grass on Aflatoxins Production in Dried Water Melon Seed] Life Science Journal. 2011;8(3):516-522] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.