Research Article

Identification of Phytochemicals by GC-MS, and Antifungal Efficacy of the Ethanolic Extract of the Plant Eucalyptus globulus

Abstract

Background: Eucalyptus globulus has many uses in traditional medicine, but the chemical composition and antifungal properties of its ethanolic leaf extract have not been sufficiently researched. Objective: To identifying the main constituents of the extract through GCMS analysis and evaluating its in vitro antifungal properties against two pathogenic fungi. Methodology: The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus were collected in Abu Al-Khasib city in Basrah province, Iraq. Ethanolic leaf extract was obtained through microwave-assisted extraction. It was analyzed by GC-MS and assayed against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger (concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mg/mL) using agar well diffusion test, followed by determining the MIC and MFC concentrations by broth microdilution. Results: The extraction yield was 14.6±0.8% (w/w). Thirty-one chemical compounds were tentatively identified through GC-MS and consisted mainly of oxygenated monoterpenoids (eucalyptol, thymol, pinocarvone), sesquiterpene alcohols (carotol, α-santalol), phenolic (homovanillic acid), fatty acids (palmitic acid), phytol, and phytosterols. The antifungal activity showed dose dependence and statistical significance (p<0.05); maximum inhibition zones were 20.7±0.6 mm and 18.0±0.5 mm for Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, respectively, with 100 mg/mL of extract; while the activity started with 20 and 30 mg/mL, respectively; the solvent had no effect on inhibition zone. The MIC and MFC values were 20 and 40 mg/mL, and 40 and 80 mg/mL, respectively, for Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger with MFC/MIC ratio being 2, which indicated fungicidal activity. Conclusion: The current study offers a combined evaluation of the chemistry and antifungal properties of the microwave-assisted ethanolic leaf extract of E. globulus.

Authors affiliation:

Abbas F. Kadhim (ORCID): Basrah Education Directorate, Ministry of Education, Basrah, Iraq.
Adnan T. Naser (ORCID): Basrah Education Directorate, Ministry of Education, Basrah, Iraq.

How To Cite: A. F. Kadhim. Identification of Phytochemicals by GC-MS, and Antifungal Efficacy of the Ethanolic Extract of the Plant Eucalyptus globulus. Current Research in Plant Science, 2(2):8–15, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58613/crps222