The antimicrobial actitity of water extracts from Labiatae.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of water extracts of oregano, rosemary and sage were tested against five different fungi (Phytophthora cactorum, Verticillium dahliae, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, Phoma tracheiphila and Botrytis cinerea). Infusion, decoction and maceration methods were used to obtain the extracts. Their inhibent effect on radial fungal growth was determined at three different concentrations (500 mL/L, 50 mL/L and 5 mL/L). After 4, 8 and 12 days the radial growth of the species was measured and fungitoxicity was recorded in terms of percent colony inhibition. The data obtained showed that while the extracts of rosemary and sage were less effective against all fungi tested at all concentrations and by all extraction methods used, oregano extract showed a strong antifungal activity at higher concentration by infusion and decoction methods.