FTIR Characterization and Bioactivity Assessment of <i>Cinnamomum camphora</i> Essential Oil: Antioxidant, Anti‐Enzymatic, and Antifungal Properties Against Phytopathogens

This study explores key biopharmaceutical properties of Cinnamomum camphora essential oil (EO), including antioxidant, anti-enzymatic, and antifungal activities, and evaluates its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against some common phytopathogens. The functional groups of the EO were identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The antioxidant capacity, evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, revealed a moderate activity. The antifungal activity assay showed a complete growth inhibition of Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructicola, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Botrytis cinerea at a concentration of 10 000 ppm of the tested EO. However, the lowest antifungal activity (17.8%) was observed against Aspergillus niger only at the highest tested concentration. The measured MIC was 7000 ppm for M. laxa and 8000 ppm for C. gloeosporioides. The anti-enzymatic activities of the studied EO demonstrated a low inhibitory effect on cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), but the EO exhibited inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values at 7.8 ± 0.6 and 2.78 ± 0.7 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, indicating a promising antidiabetic effect. This research revealed that the studied EO possesses various biological properties, indicating its potential applicability in several agro-pharmaceutical fields.