Abstract
The major objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of essential oil (EO) from Zanthoxylum armatum DC. on Aspergillus flavus. The chemical composition of the EO was identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EO was investigated by liquid fermentation. The morphology, colony number, and aflatoxin content of A. flavus in platycladi semen were investigated by stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, plate counting, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the MIC of EO was 0.8 μL⋅mL–1, and the main components were β-phellandrene (7.53%), D-limonene (13.24%), linalool (41.73%), terpinen-4-ol (5.33%), and trans-nerolidol (6.30%). After the EO fumigated the platycladi semen, the growth of A. flavus slowed, and the mycelium shrank considerably. The number of colonies after EO treatment at room temperature and cold storage was significantly reduced, the inhibition effect was better under cold storage, and the aflatoxin B1 content did not exceed the standard within 100 days. Therefore, this study demonstrated the good potential of A. flavus growth inhibition during the storage of platycladi semen.
Highlights
Aflatoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites that are produced by several fungal species and that contaminate a wide variety of traditional Chinese medicines
We found that the essential oil (EO) of Z. armatum DC. has high antifungal activity, which can destroy the growth of fungal hyphae, reduce the number of A. flavus colonies and the toxin content, and extend the storage period of platycladi semen
The aflatoxin content of platycladi semen treated with EO during storage was tested, and the results showed that the EO of Z. armatum DC. could prolong the storage period of platycladi semen and ensure that aflatoxin did not exceed the standard within 100 days
Summary
Aflatoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites that are produced by several fungal species and that contaminate a wide variety of traditional Chinese medicines. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, is the most significant form with respect to incidence and toxicity (Pellicer-Castell et al, 2020). AFB1 is 68 times more toxic than arsenic and second only to botulinum. It is of great interest to reduce aflatoxin contamination in Chinese medicinal materials. Platycladi semen is a dried and mature seed of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. It contains many cedrols, sitosterols, and terpenoids and a small amount of essential oil (EO) and saponins (Zhu et al, 2020).
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