Abstract: The essential oils of Cinnamomum camphora L. Presl from three different origins obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by purge and trap thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P&T-TD-GC-MS), and their inhibitory activity against plant pathogenic fungi was comparatively assessed. A total of 22, 20 and 16 volatile components were detected in the essential oils of C. camphora grown in Jiangxi, Anhui and Guangxi provinces, respectively. The major components identified with a relative content of more than 1% were β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene and linalool. Furthermore, the essential oil of C. camphora from Guangxi province was also analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS). A total of 44 components were identified in the essential oil of C. camphora from Guangxi province, dominated by alcohols and terpenes. In the antifungal assay, the leaf oil from Guangxi province showed strong antifungal activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium graminearum with half maximal?inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 31.74, 35.79 and 38.02 mg/L (after 48 h of treatment), respectively. Linalool was found to be a significant contributor to the antifungal activity. Overall, the essential oil of C. camphora might have the potential to be developed into a natural antimicrobial agent that can be used in the preservation of fruits and vegetables.

Key words: Cinnamomum camphora L. Presl, essential oil, volatile components, antifungal activity, purge and trap thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P&T-TD-GC-MS), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS)