Combinations of equal volumes of essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum, Lippia rugosa and Xylopia aethiopica were studied for their inhibiting activity on the mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus by the determination of the minimum inhibiting concentrations (MIC), and on Sitophilus zeamais by the determination of the LV50 (volume that kills 50% of insects) and LV90 (volume that kills 90% of insects) values. All the combinations led to an increase in the inhibition of the mycelial growth of A. flavus with a synergy between these oils. The interesting combination of O. gratissimum and L. rugosa increased the inhibition of the mycelial growth of A. flavus; the observed MIC (600 ppm) was significantly lower than that predicted (900 ppm). Concerning anti-insect activity, a slight reduction in the LV90 on S. zeamais was observed for the combination of the three oils. The binary combinations showed higher LV50 and LV90 values than those predicted. There was no synergistic anti-insect activity between the three essential oils.
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