Effect of Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Containing Essential Oil of Zataria multiflora on the inhibitory growth of Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus

In order to dismiss the problems of using Zataria multiflora essential oil (instability, evaporation, and decomposition against environmental and chemical conditions) and increase its efficiency in controlling pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus ochraceus), a system carrying Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) was used. The experiment was arranged using the completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications by mixing the essential oil and essential oil-load SLNs with potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at four concentrations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 ppm. This experiment was performed in Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmacy Department in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The essential oil-loaded SLNs were prepared high-tensile pressure homogenization together with ultrasonic waves. Results of particle size determination showed a mean size of 284 nm, PdI 0/483 and a ZP of mv and SLNs were spherical as shown by TEM. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration under in vitro conditions for the free form of essential oil in the A. ochraceu, A. flavus was 300 μlL-1 and for A.niger was 200 μlL-1. For the essential oil-loaded SLNs, it was 200 μlL-1. Essential oil-loaded SLNs increased 38% inhibitory growth of pathogenic fungi than free form of essential oil. Result indicated that SLNs were appropriate carriers for Z. multiflora essential oil to increase its efficiency in controlling of A. niger, A. flavus, and A. ochraceus.