ABSTRACT Besides their value as therapeutic resources, medicinal plants may also be used as sources of active ingredients against phytopathogens. Fungi can grow and cause spoilage in food, thus, resusting in decrease in its quality and quantity. This research aimed at evaluating the effect of essential oil from Murraya paniculata (ML-EO) leaves on mycelial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a fungus that poses high risk to several cultures, mainly soybean. Essential oil from M. paniculata (Rutaceae) leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation which was carried out by a Clevenger-type apparatus while its chemical composition was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. β-Caryophyllene (23.8%), α-zingiberene (21.0%) and β-cubebene (10.2%) were the main constituents... |