Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Cinnamon as an anti-microbial?

ssdd - 17-5-2009 at 22:49

So I was recently looking into cheap and easy anti-fungal agents for some long term seeds I'm sowing (theres another thread further down).

The issue is, with some of these seeds taking 3 months to germinate the soil and peat pots they are in are starting to show some signs of fungal growth. So I figured I need some kind of anti-fungal agent to try and stop this so my seeds dont rot or damp off.

In my readings I saw that cinnamon works as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.

Before I go out and buy a bunch of cinnamon and sprinkle it all over my soil, has anyone tried this? I'm also having a hard time finding any scholarly sources to back this up.

If not does anyone know how to get Captan or a similar compound in NY (they do not ship to several states one of them being NY).

-ssdd

not_important - 17-5-2009 at 23:55

See

https://pindex.ku.ac.th/file_research/AntifungalCloveCinnamo...

http://web.nchu.edu.tw/pweb/users/taiwanfir/research/132.pdf

https://pindex.ku.ac.th/file_research/O7_05_InVitroEvidenceA...


http://www.medicaljournal-ias.org/7_1/Mallek.pdf


http://www.hi-tm.com/Documents/Spices.html


http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.h...

for starters.

Note that most research has used extracts or the essential oils, not the raw plant material; I'd not want to hazard a guess on what effect the basic spices would have as they could add both additional phenols &ct (boost effectiveness), and additional nuetrients for bacteria and fungi (reduce effectiveness).

You'll likely have to add the material repeatedly, as the active compounds oxidise and evaporate. The seeds and sprouts may also be sensitive to the active compounds.



This http://www.bayercropscienceus.com/products_and_seeds/seed_tr... suggests that the several different varients of Captan may have differing availability, as they do not have the same registration lists.


ssdd - 23-5-2009 at 08:44

So not long after posting this I went out and bought a container of ground cinnamon. I sprinkled a fair helping of it over the surface of my potting mix and left it to sit. Since I have done this I have seen no visible signs of any fungal activity. (plus now my starting trays smell wonderful) Also I do not think it negatively effects the seedlings because I have since had several coffee beans pop through the surface.

I'll post more updates in the future in case anyone else would like to try this.

-ssdd

chemrox - 12-3-2010 at 18:36

I have a bottle of eugenol I haven't opened yet. The label says to keep it under N2. I wasn't aware of this compound being labile to air oxidation. Anyone have experience storing eugenol? I plan to esterify it with various acids I have to make more complex smells

not_important - 12-3-2010 at 20:00

allyl chain, plus the CH2 group is both allylic and benzylic so it is rather reactive.

Long ago I'd steam distilled a metric buttload of cloves that I bought cheap from an Asian drygoods store that was closing, and had fractionated the oil into many of its components. I remember that the eugenol and one or two of the other unsaturated ones had show signs of oxidation after sitting on a shelf for a year or so. Less than optimal storage, used bottles on hand so there was a fair amount of air space, plus the storage room was rather warm in summer.


HammerOfLight - 13-3-2010 at 22:44

Cinnamon is also a potent antioxidant, and it stimulates insulin response in people with type 2 diabetes. You can use CONSAN also for the fungus on plants or seeds. it's expensive, but you only need like 1/2oz per gallon as a disinfectant material goes. ! bottle for around 20$ last me 2 yrs or more.