A New Antifungal Agent in Cinnamon

Abstract

Isolation and purification of antifungal substances from powdered cinnamon was undertaken, and orthomethoxycinnamaldehyde (OMCA) was obtained in a pure state. The substance has the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₀O₂ and m. w. 162. It is pale yellow flakes soluble in various organic solvents but hardly soluble in water.
OMCA inhibited the growth of four strains of mycotoxin-producing fungi at the concentrations from 100μg to 200μg per ml, and substantially inhibited the mycotoxin production at the concentrations from 6.25μg to 50μg per ml.
Moreover, the substance also had a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of five strains of dermatophytes (MIC; 3.12-6.25μg/ml), e. g. Microsporum cauis. However, OMCA showed no antibacterial activity even at the concentration of 50μg per ml.