STORAGE OF MAIZE AND COWPEA AND INHIBITION OF MICROBIAL AGENTS OF BIODETERIORATION USING THE POWDER AND ESSENTIAL OIL OF LEMON GRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS)

Within a storage period of 10 days, samples of maize and cowpea treate d with lemon grass powder and essential oil showed no physical deterio ration. Off-colour, off-odour and mouldiness however characterized unt reated control samples of maize and cowpea. The essential oil of lemon grass also inhibited the growths of moulds like Aspergillus flavus, A . fumigatus, Microphomina phaseoli and Penicillium chrysogenum and bac teria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ps. fluorescen s, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemical componen ts like alkaloids, tannins and cardiac glycosides found in the powder are believed to be associated with the preservative and antimicrobial effects of lemon grass. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.