Efficacy of Caesulia axillaris, Cymbopogon khasans and Cymbopogon martinii essential oils as plant based preservatives against degradation of raw materials of Andrographis paniculata by fungal spoilage

• Fungal infestation degrade the medicinal component of Andrographis paniculata.
• Essential oils control the degradation of the active component of A. paniculata.
• Essential oils are recommended for preservation of raw materials of A. paniculata.

The study reports the qualitative degradation of raw materials of Andrographis paniculata during storage due to fungal and aflatoxin contamination and its control by essential oils (EOs) of Caesulia axillaris, Cymbopogon khasans and Cymbopogon martinii. The finger print profile of the herbal raw materials through high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the significant degradation of andrographolide content (the major active component) due to fungal and aflatoxin contamination. The three EOs showed potent preservative effects during fumigation in storage containers providing 71.93%, 93.86% and 88.60% protection of herbal raw materials respectively from fungal contamination. The EOs were found to control the degradation of the active component of A. paniculata as well as reduce aflatoxin produced by toxigenic Aspergillus flavus. The EOs may increase the shelf life of raw materials of A. paniculata by controlling fungal and aflatoxin contamination as well as active component degradation during post harvest storage.