Abstract
Problems related with biological contamination of plant origin raw materials have a considerable effect on prevention systems at each stage of food production. Concerning the antimicrobial action of phenolic acids, studies were undertaken to investigate antibacterial properties against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli (EC), Pseudomonas fluorescence (PF), Micrococcus luteus (ML) and Proteus mirabilis (PM), as well as antifungal properties targeting microscopic fungi Fusarium spp., extracts of phenolic compounds coming from inoculated grain from various genotypes of cereals. This study evaluated the antimicrobial action of phenolic acids extracts obtained from both naturally infested and inoculated with microorganisms. For this purpose a total of 24 cereal cultivars were selected, including 9 winter and 15 spring cultivars. The analyses showed a bactericidal effect in the case of 4 extracts against Micrococcus luteus (ML), 14 extracts against Pseudomonas fluorescence (PF), 17 extracts against Escherichia coli (EC) as well as 16 extracts against Proteus mirabilis (PM). It was found that 3 out of the 24 extracts showed no antibacterial activity. In turn, fungicidal action was observed in the case of 17 extracts against Fusarium culmorum (FC) (NIV), 16 extracts against FC (3AcDON), 12 extracts against Fusarium graminearum (FG) (3AcDON), while 12 other extracts showed antifungal action against FG (NIV) and 19 extracts against Fusarium langsethiae (FL). Based on the conducted analyses it was found that grain of small-grained cereals exposed to fungal infection is a source of bioactive compounds exhibiting antimicrobial properties. It was observed that the qualitative and quantitative profiles of polyphenols vary depending on the cereal cultivar. This extracts may be used to develop an antimicrobial preparation applicable in organic farming.
Highlights
In Central Europe the dominant mycoflora in grain of small-grained cereals consists of microscopic fungi, primarily the genus Fusarium spp. [1–4] They are considered to be the most pathogenic and phytotoxic microorganisms [1,2]
In view of the above, the aim of the study was to assess antibacterial properties against bacterial strains Escherichia coli (EC), Pseudomonas fluorescence (PF), Micrococcus luteus (ML) and Proteus mirabilis (PM), as well as antifungal properties against microscopic fungi from the genus Fusarium spp., extracts of phenolic compounds from inoculated grain of various genotypes of cereals grown in Poland
The results showed antifungal activity for most analysed phenolic acid extracts against Fusarium spp.: Fusarium culmorum (FC), Fusarium graminearum (FG) and Fusarium langsethiae (FL) (Table 4)
Summary
In Central Europe the dominant mycoflora in grain of small-grained cereals consists of microscopic fungi, primarily the genus Fusarium spp. [1–4] They are considered to be the most pathogenic and phytotoxic microorganisms [1,2]. [1–4] They are considered to be the most pathogenic and phytotoxic microorganisms [1,2]. These fungi produce secondary metabolites, jointly referred to as mycotoxins, in view of their harmful effect on plants, animals and humans [5,6]. The global problem related to biological contamination of raw materials and food products of plant and animal origin has a considerable impact on prevention systems at each stage of food production. In the case of plant food the stage determining product contamination is connected with plant vegetation. Every stage of plant raw material processing may lead to contamination with pathogens. To date such studies have been dedicated to herbs, spices and fruit. Extensive investigations on the subject have concerned primarily bacteria and yeast (Table 1)
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