The essential oil from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus obtained by hydrodistillation, as well as its major
compound 1,8-cineole, identified by gas chromatography coupled with a mass selective detector, were
evaluated for their effectiveness against the storage fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.
The evaluation was performed by compound dissolution in yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium and
exposure to headspace volatiles. Complete fungal growth inhibition of both species was achieved with
the essential oil by contact and volatile assays. Volatile exposure showed total inhibition at the lower
level tested of 500 mL. The 1,8-cineole tested alone showed partial inhibition only at the highest level of
1.3492 mL. Aflatoxin B1 production was reduced in headspace volatile assays and partial inhibition was
observed at the 200 mL dose of the essential oil.