Abstract
The efficiency of five methanolic plant extracts obtained from Euclayptus globolus, Olea europaea, Salvadora persica, Thymus vulgaris and Ziziphus spina-christi were investigated for their inhibitory effect on the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of the toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain isolated from wheat seeds. Extract of T. vulgarisshowed the highest antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities as aflatoxin B1 production was absolutely arrested at 5 mg/ml, while the mycelial growth of A. flavus was completely inhibited at 15 mg/ml. E. globolus and O. europaea extracts showed a moderate antifungal activities and exhibited a significant antiaflatoxigenic efficiency as they inhibited aflatoxin B1production at 15 mg/ml. On the other hand, S. persica showed weak antifungal activities while no effect was detected with Z. spina-christi extract. The analysis of plant extracts by GC/MS revealed that T. vulgaris extract was mainly composed by thymol (38.73%), carvacrol (19.31%) and ρ-cimene (10.13%), O. europaea extract was composed by anthracenedione (20.63%), terbutaline (13.96%) and propiolic acid (12.02%) while eucalyptol (30.62%), globulol (18.94%) and silane (9.13%) were the principal components of E. globolus extract. These extracts of T. vulgaris, E. globolus and O. europaea which are effective and environmentally safe are promising for protecting wheat seeds against aflatoxigenic strain of A. flavus. Key words: Aflatoxins, wheat, antiaflatoxigenic, methanolic extracts, Euclayptus globolus, Olea europaea, Salvadora persica, Thymus vulgaris.
Highlights
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic and immunosuppressive metabolites produced by Aspergilllus flavus and Aspergilllus parasiticus when these fungi infect crops before and after harvest thereby contaminating food and feed and threatening both human and animal health (Jonsyn-Ellis, 2001; Omidbeygi et al, 2007)
The efficiency of five methanolic plant extracts obtained from Euclayptus globolus, Olea europaea, Salvadora persica, Thymus vulgaris and Ziziphus spina-christi were investigated for their inhibitory effect on the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of the toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain isolated from wheat seeds
Among the five methanolic plant extracts screened for their antifungal activity, T. vulgaris showed the highest antifungal activity at 10 mg/ml while the extract of E. globolus and O. europaea showed a moderate antifungal activity against the toxigenic A. flavus isolate
Summary
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic and immunosuppressive metabolites produced by Aspergilllus flavus and Aspergilllus parasiticus when these fungi infect crops before and after harvest thereby contaminating food and feed and threatening both human and animal health (Jonsyn-Ellis, 2001; Omidbeygi et al, 2007). There is a strong debate about the safety aspects of fungicides in use since they are considered responsible for many carcinogenic and teratogenic attributes as well as residual toxicity (Prabhu and Urs, 1998) For these reasons, the use of numerous plant extracts, spices and their constituents may provide an alternative way to prevent fungal growth and mycotoxins formation (Holley and Patel, 2005; Lee et al, 2001, 2007). Many spices and plant extracts have proven to be efficient antifungal against toxigenic moulds (Rasooli and Owlia, 2005). Bluma and Etcheverry (2008) demonstrated antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties
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