Abstract
Three monoterpenes, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-benzene, and its derivatives, carvacrol and thymol, were tested for their antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities against Aspergillus flavus, and their potential in vitro mechanisms were evaluated. The monoterpenes significantly inhibited mycelial growth, spore production, and aflatoxin production in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, their antifungal effects were related to the suppression of fungal development regulatory genes (brlA, abaA, and wetA) and inhibition of ergosterol synthesis. Additionally, the down-regulation of the relative expression of genes related to aflatoxin biosynthesis (aflD, aflK, aflQ, and aflR) revealed an antiaflatoxigenic mechanism of the monoterpenes. These observations suggest that the three monoterpenes exhibit antiaflatoxigenic activities through multiple modes of action and may be useful for controlling aflatoxin contamination in food.
Highlights
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species and are well known for their potent toxicity, immunosuppressive activity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity
Effect of three monoterpenes on growth of A. flavus p-Cymene, thymol, and carvacrol effectively inhibited the growth of A. flavus in a concentration-dependent manner (Table 2)
Ergosterol levels were dose-dependently decreased in fungal cells after treatment with the three monoterpenes at 0, 20, and 40 mg/L (Table 3). p-Cymene and carvacrol exhibited stronger inhibition against ergosterol production than did thymol
Summary
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species and are well known for their potent toxicity, immunosuppressive activity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity. They are classified as group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [1]. The use of synthetic chemicals to control food spoilage fungi is restricted because of their long degradation period, effects on food, and side effects on humans which includes carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and residual toxicity [3]. Pentachlorophenol and 2,4,6trichlorophenol have been widely used as fungicides, but their production and use are currently restricted because carcinogenicity was observed in experimental animals. Alternative constituents for controlling and reducing the growth of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin production are required
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