Efecto in vitro del aceite esencial de las hojas de Mentha spicata sobre el crecimiento de Microsporum gypseum

The effect of the essential oil of Mentha spicata leaves on the growth of Microsporum gypseum in vitro was evaluated. We worked with the vegetable from the agricultural crops of Pedregal, Simbal District, Trujillo Province, La Libertad; obtainingthe essential oil was carried out using the hydrodistillation method in Clevenger equipment. To evaluate its effect, the technique of incorporating the essential oilinto the Sabouraud Dextrose Agar culture medium was used, adding the appropriate amount until obtaining concentrations of 400, 500, 600 and 700 μg/mL and the culture medium as a negative control. A fragment of M. gypseum mycelium was planted by central puncture and incubated at 25°C for a week; readings of radial growth weremade in millimeters of diameter. The average radial growth of the treatment and the negative control obtained on the seventh day of incubation were 4.36 and 2.45 mm for 400 and 500 μg/mL, respectively; at 600 and 700 μg/mL there was no growth andfor the negative control it was 26.65 mm. It is concluded that the essential oil at the concentrations evaluated inhibits the growth of M. gypseum, in direct proportion tothe concentration, that is, the higher the concentration, the greater the inhibition of radial growth; from 600 μg/mL, fungal growth is completely inhibited. Resulting in a promising alternative for the treatment against these pathogens due to its bioactive components.