S-Carvone, a common monoterpene found in caraway (Carum carvi L.), inhibits the sprouting of potatoes very efficiently at continuous low head space concentrations. The length growth of potato sprouts was inhibited within 2 days following exposure to S-carvone. Sprouts were able to convert S-carvone into more reduced compounds. In addition, growth of the plant-pathogenic fungi Fusarium solani and Fusarium sulphureum was found to be inhibited by S-carvone at concentrations between 1 and 3 mM. At sub-inhibitory concentration, both F. solani and F. sulphureum converted S-carvone into more reduced compounds which were shown to be less toxic as compared to S-carvone. Finally, the growth rate of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis and Escherichia coli decreased at S-carvone concentrations above 1 mM. This decrease correlated with a dissipation of the proton motive force generated in these cells.
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