Abstract:Antifungal activity of the active components of extracts from the pine needles of Pinus massoniana against citrus blue mold (Penicillium italicum) were studied by using spore germination based assay. The results demonstrated that extraction solvents with different polarities caused differences in the antifungal activities of the extracts from pine needles of Pinus massoniana, and the extent of the antifungal activity of these extracts were in the following order: ethyl acetate extract, ethanol extract, dichloride methane extract, water extract, and petroleum ether extract. Twenty major chemical components were identified in the ethyl acetate extract by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), including α-pinene (28.73%), β-pinene (24.72%), β-myrcene (1.44%), β-caryophyllene (8.06%), camphene (1.63%), and β-cubebene (4.79%). The most prevalent components, α-pinene and β-pinene, exhibited the strongest antifungal activities against Penicillium italicum and were the main active components in Pinus massoniana against Penicillium italicum, followed by β-myrcene. Camphene, 3-carene, ocimene, and β- caryophyllene exhibited the weakest inhibitory effects on the spores of Penicillium italicum. Therefore, α-pinene and β-pinene are of significance for further study and development as safe and effective fumigants for the storage of citrus fruits after harvest.
