Fungal Infestation Research Articles

Weathering characteristics of wood treated with water glass, siloxane or DMDHEU

Specimens of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris) and beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) were treated with a sodium water glass solution, an amino-alkyl-functional oligomeric siloxane and 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU). The specimens were exposed outside without ground contact for 24 months. Colour measurements during outside exposure showed a discoloration of all wood specimen surfaces. FTIR spectroscopy displayed lignin degradation of all specimens during the initial exposure time. Chemical treatments decelerated fungal infestation of wood, while their effect on lignin degradation was not discernible. SEM studies revealed that fungal infestation was affected by the different treatments. The untreated specimens showed radial penetration of fungal hyphae through the pits. Only superficial infestation and no radial penetration were visible at water glass and siloxane treated specimens. A significantly reduced radial penetration of fungal hyphae was exhibited at DMDHEU treated specimens. Fungal infestation through the pits was not visible.

Fungal infections among diabetic foot ulcer- patients attending diabetic clinic in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya.

To isolate and identify fungal pathogens associated with dermatophytoses in diabetic patients and identify the spectrum of yeasts colonising diabetic foot ulcers at Kenyatta National Hospital. A cross sectional Laboratory based study. The Kenyatta National Hospital diabetic clinic. Sixty one patients with diabetic foot ulcers from August to November 2009. The five most occurring pathogens were Biopolaris hawaiiensis (5.5%), Trichophyton schoenleinii (3.7%), Aspergillus niger (3.0%), Trichophyton rubrum (3.0%), Fusarium oxysporum (3.0%). Other moulds accounted forless than 3.0%. One suspected case (0.6%) of Penicilium marneffei was isolated although it couldnotbe ascertained due to its high containment requirement. Among the dermatophytes, the most occurring mould was Trichophyton schoenleinii (3.7%) while innon-dermatophyte was Biopolaris hawaiiensis (5.5%). Eight pathogenic yeasts were identified with C. parapsilosis (6.1%) being the most common followed by C. famata (3.0%). Fungal infestation was highest in callus formation (78.6%). Fungal aetiological agents are significant cause of diabetic woundinfection and may require antifungal intervention for successful management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Fourier Transform near Infrared Analysis of Waste Paper with the Addition of Cereal Bran Biodegraded by Ascomycetes Fungi

The goal of this work was to develop a Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR)-based methodology for estimating the biodegradation rate of recycled paper. Two types of fungi, Chaetomium globosum Kunze et Fr. and a mixture of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, Trichoderma viride Persoon ex. S.F. Gray aggr. and Penicillium funiculosum Thom. were used as biotic cultures. Paper sheets made of recycled fibres with the addition of 0%, 3%, 5% and 10% of cereal bran, were used as test samples. Tests of breaking length (according to PN-EN ISO 1924–1:1998) and the degree of fungal infestation were performed on the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 10th, 14th and 21st days after infestation to quantify the resistance of the paper to biodegradation. The surface of each sheet of paper was scanned using a FT-NIR spectrometer. It was found that the addition of wheat bran increased susceptibility to fungal colonisation, compared to the samples without any bran. Degradation of paper colonised by Ch. globosum was more advanced. FT-NIR analysis revealed that spectra displayed the most significant difference in the wavenumber bands 4280 cm−1, 4404cm−1 and 4620–4890cm−1, which correspond to CH, CH2 and OH functional groups of cellulose. Differences in FT-NIR spectra were in good agreement with the reference methods and, therefore, this technique has the potential for monitoring the paper biodegradation process.

Fungal colonisation of outside weathered modified wood

Specimens of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) were treated with an amino-alkyl-functional oligomeric siloxane, a sodium water glass solution and 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU). Treated and untreated wood specimens were exposed outdoors without ground contact. After 9 months of outside exposure, all specimens showed discolouration caused by infestations of mould and staining fungi on the exposed wood surface. Fungi grown on the sample surface were isolated and identified by microscopic technique and sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA from the ITS region. Primarily, an infestation by ascomycetes and related deuteromycetes was found. The most dominant fungi were Trichoderma sp. and Epicoccum sp.. An infestation of Aureobasidium pullulans was only detected on untreated and DMDHEU-treated samples. There were only marginal differences of fungal infestation between the two wood species.

Stored products research in Europe – a very personal perspective!

The general consensus is that there are about 50 countries in Europe. There are no discrete boundaries and some countries may be both in Europe and another continent. In this short presentation, I want to dip into the history of stored products research over the past 50 years or so in this diverse geographical and political area. It is curious how the emphasis of the research has changed but perhaps more often been cyclical with areas being topical and novel, falling out of fashion, and then being “rediscovered” often with scant recognition for what has gone before. The trap of pretending that there was no research prior to the advent of electronic publication of journals and especially of abstracting services has reinforced the opinion that is apparent in much literature of the past 10-20 years that nothing before about 1970 actually happened. It may also be related to the geographical locations where research is undertaken and the accessibility, often determined by the language, of the research to a global community. The current levels of research activity are driven and limited by funding, political factors and perceived necessity. These are debatable subjects at best. So, where are the primary targets for research in the future or have the problems really been solved? This presentation will attempt to sample and illustrate how the nature of research may follow advances in methodology, how it has perhaps been a consequence of failure to appreciate what has gone before, and is likely to continue changing with demand. How and where will this be achieved?Keywords: Food security, Insecticides, Biological control, Insect pests, Fungal infestations.

Comparison of Percent Hatch and Fungal Infestation in Channel Catfish Eggs after Copper Sulfate, Diquat Bromide, Formalin, and Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment

AbstractReduced survival of fish eggs is often a result of infestation with fungi Saprolegnia spp. However, timely chemical treatments often limit these infestations and increase survival. The effect of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CSP; 10 mg of CSP/L of water), diquat bromide (25 mg of diquat cation/L), formalin (433 mg/L), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 250 mg/L) on percent hatch and fungal infestation in eggs of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was compared in two identical trials (five replicates for each chemical treatment per trial). The percent hatch in all chemical treatments was significantly better than percent hatch of the controls. The amount of fungal coverage on egg masses treated with CSP, formalin, and H2O2 was significantly less than that observed on the controls. Although not statistically different from the other treatments, H2O2 at 250 mg/L exhibited the highest average percent hatch (64%; control hatch = 34%), the lowest fungal coverage (1.5 cm; control coverage = 7.2 cm), and the lowest occurrence of fungi (50%; control occurrence = 100%) among the treatments.

UTILIZING HYDROPONICS TECHNIQUE FOR ACCLIMATIZING TISSUE CULTURE DERIVED PLANTLETS UNDER DESERT ENVIRONMENT

Most plants derived from in vitro conditions require an acclimatization process to ensure the survival of sufficient number and vigorous growth of plantlets when transferred to soil under ambient conditions. Protocols for micro propagation of many plants have been standardized but their acclimatization under harsh desert conditions continues to be a difficult task in the micropropagation industry. During in vitro culture plantlets grow under higher humidity, lower irradiance, lower water potential, higher risk of contamination and microbial activities. Addition of growth regulators to the medium may cause abnormal morphology, anatomy and physiology. When these plantlets are exposed to higher irradiance and lower humidity the plantlets may quickly wilt as water loss through transpiration is higher than that of absorption through roots. This condition is very severe in the desert regions where relative humidity is very low; irradiance and temperature are very high. For controlling water loss acclimatizing tubs are generally covered with plastic sheets, the resulting higher humidity invites fungal infestations. Heavy losses have been observed during the acclimatization process of in vitro derived plantlets in the desert regions. To overcome the above mentioned difficulties hydroponics techniques have been experimented for the acclimatization of three types of in vitro cultured plants: herb (strawberry - Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), shrub (rose - Rosa indica L.) and tree (date palm - Phoenix dactylifera L.). Results indicated that the survival rate and growth vigour was significantly higher in the hydroponically grown plantlets compared to their conventionally grown controls. Response to the two nutrient media used was also encouraging in the hydroponically grown plantlets. Transferring plantlets from the tube to a hydroponics system for a period of seven days has shown expedited establishment under ambient conditions in final soil media.

Funginite–resinite associations in coal

Petrographic examination of a series of Indian Tertiary-age coal seams, some with > 38% resinite (mineral-free basis), showed that several had associations of funginite in resinite. There are three primary mechanisms for incorporation of fungus into resinite: (1) as an accidental inclusion, for example, as a fungal infection on an insect encapsulated in resin; (2) infestation of fungus into tree, whether into a wound or other point of entry, with encapsulation by resin as a defense mechanism by the tree (alternatively, fungal hyphae could also be growing from another portion of the tree that is already infected); and (3) resinicolous fungus using the resin as a food source. In the coal samples examined, while incidental fungal inclusion on invading insects cannot be eliminated, we have seen no direct evidence for insects. Both encapsulation of invading fungus by resin and resinicolous relationships are among the associations observed.

Chemical profile, antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity of Citrus maxima Burm. and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck essential oils and their cyclic monoterpene, dl-limonene

The study deals with antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity of Citrus maxima and Citrus sinensis essential oils (EOs) and their phytochemical composition. The EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation and their chemical profile was determined through GC and GC–MS analysis. Both the EOs and their 1:1 combination showed broad fungitoxic spectrum against different food contaminating moulds. The EOs and their combination completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production at 500ppm, whereas, dl-limonene, the major component of EOs showed better antiaflatoxigenic efficacy even at 250ppm. Both the oils exhibited antioxidant activity as DPPH free radical scavenger in dose dependent manner. The IC50 for radical scavenging efficacy of C. maxima and C. sinensis oils were to be 8.84 and 9.45μlml−1, respectively. The EOs were found non-mammalian toxic showing high LD50 for mice (oral, acute). The oils may be recommended as safe plant based antimicrobials as well as antioxidants for enhancement of shelf life of food commodities by checking their fungal infestation, aflatoxin production as well as lipid peroxidation.

Aspergillosis in the middle ear of a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): a case report

Hearing is one of the major senses in whales and dolphins (cetaceans). This is the first report of severe mycotic otitis media in a cetacean, a juvenile female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from British waters that stranded alive. Gross examinations were followed by histological and microbiological investigations of the auditory apparatus. Both tympanic cavities and periotic sinuses displayed copious greenish-yellow purulent and caseous material. Severe fungal infestation by Aspergillus terreus was documented in the otic region but not in any other site of the body. Adjacent to the promontorium, massive accumulation of fibrinous secretion and infiltration of clusters of inflammatory cells were present. Newly formed cysts and vessels replaced the round window membrane location, reminiscent of granulation tissue. Inflammatory cells and a severe fibrin net were noted within the perilymphatic spaces of scala tympani and scala vestibuli, indicative of an acute fibrinous otitis. Inflammatory reactions have probably been caused by this fungal organism. The basilar membrane was solely covered by a simple cuboidal epithelium. Complete absence of sensory cells of the Organ of Corti characterised a further severe phenomenon, which possibly led to the animal's poor nutritional status and stranding. Potential portals of entry are being discussed.

Preservation of fungi in archaeological charcoal

During the analysis of wood charcoal remains from archaeological sites, it is common to find different microorganisms and different forms of degradation present in the plant tissue. However, one may encounter difficulties when attempting to identify these microorganisms and determine when their attack occurred. This paper focuses on preservation aspects related to the microorganisms in wood and demonstrates the structural changes that take place in different types of decayed wood after it was converted into charcoal. The study seeks to determine whether the microbial attack found in archaeological woods took place before the burning of the wood or after. Burning experiments were conducted using wood that had been decayed by various types of fungi including white-rot, brown-rot, and soft-rot. The laboratory burnt wood samples showed decay patterns that were comparable to those observed in archaeological charcoal samples, indicating that signs of fungal infestation and features of decay can be preserved after burning with micromorphological details of mycelium and cell wall attack evident. This indication may provide important information related to the gathering of deadwood as fuelwood. In addition, examples of decayed wood preserved in archaeological charcoal assemblages are described. Their relationship to the archaeological context and environmental conditions may suggest different interpretative models concerning wood management strategies applied by past societies.

Differential expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes in Florida hybrid bunch grapes to Elsinoë ampelina infection

Florida hybrid bunch grape (Vitis spp.) cultivars with commercial value are susceptible to anthracnose disease caused by the fungi, Elsinoe ampelina. The Florida grape industry is keen on improving anthracnose tolerance characteristics of these grape cultivars as the cultivation of European grapes is limited in Southeastern United States due to Pierce’s disease incidence. In this connection, a molecular approach was taken to identify and characterize the gene/s differentially expressed upon infestation with E. ampelina in selected Florida hybrid bunch grape cultivars differing in their disease tolerance level. Variation in gene expressions was monitored by employing Differential Display RT-PCR. The results showed significant up-regulation of transcripts ranging between 200 and 800 bp in anthracnose-tolerant (cvs. Blue Lake and Lake Emerald) grape cultivars compared to anthracnose-susceptible (cvs. Suwannee and Blanc du Bois) cultivars. The transcripts that were uniquely induced in tolerant cultivars were identified as chitinase, stilbene synthase, protein/sugar kinases and transcriptional factor. Expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes was validated using real time PCR analysis. The results showed that these genes were more rapidly expressed in tolerant cultivars within a day after inoculating with E. ampelina and peaking by day 3, compared to susceptible cultivars. Induction of these anti-fungal genes appears to enable tolerant cultivars to withstand fungal infestation compared to susceptible cultivars. Rapid expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes along with others genes may be partly responsible for anthracnose-tolerance in Florida hybrid bunch grapes. Further analysis may shed light on their specific role in anthracnose tolerance.

Impact of paint and wall-paper on mould growth on plasterboards and aluminum

Biocide-free and biocide-treated plasterboards as well as aluminum plate as a reference material normally considered as being insensitive to mould growth have been used as substrate to check the influence of different common wall coverings, i.e. paints and wall papers, on fungal growth. The results described in this paper show that any non-biodegradable material (such as aluminum) can become a substrate to fungal infestation once painted or wall paper applied, depending on the type of paint or wall paper used. Moreover, a biodegradable material treated with a biocide (biocide-treated plasterboard) offers partial resistance to fungal growth at a biodegradable surface covering. The main conclusion of this study is that composition of the surface covering applied on building materials is as important as the substrate itself when considering the bioreceptivity of this material to potential fungal infestation. Accordingly, any discussion on the ability of a given building material to resist or not to fungal infestation must refer to the exact composition of the surface covering (paint, varnish, wall paper, etc). This has not often been the case in many of the previous studies published on the topic.

Use of essential oil from Mentha arvensis L. to control storage moulds and insects in stored chickpea

AbstractBACKGROUND: Fungal contamination and Callosobruchus infestation results in qualitative and quantitative losses of chickpea seeds during storage. Most of the synthetic chemicals used as preservatives have adverse effects. Therefore, the antifungal and insecticidal potential of Mentha arvensis essential oil was evaluated to determine whether this could be an eco‐friendly substitute of synthetic preservatives.RESULTS: The stored chickpea seeds were dominated by Aspergillus flavus (46.1%) and 30% isolates among them were found toxigenic. The MIC of Mentha oil against A. flavus was recorded at 400 µL L−1 and it exhibited broad fungitoxic activity against 14 storage fungi. The oil was found superior to some prevalent synthetic fungicides. Mentha oil showed potent insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus chinensis at different concentrations and exposure times. The oviposition by C. chinensis was completely checked at 10 µL L−1 while F1 emergence was completely inhibited at 200 µL L−1. During in situ experiments, 94.05% protection of the chickpea from C. chinensis by Mentha oil showed superiority over the organophosphate insecticide malathion, where 90.75% protection was recorded.CONCLUSION: The Mentha EO showing potent fungitoxic and insecticidal efficacy and may be recommended as a plant‐based preservative in the management of fungal and insect infestation of chickpea and other pulses during storage. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on the Hatch Rate and Saprolegnia spp. Infestation of Channel Catfish Eggs

AbstractFungal infestations of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus eggs can lower hatch rate, which requires the producer to spawn more channel catfish or risk fingerling shortages. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatments (0.0, 15.6, 31.3, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/L) were evaluated to determine their effect on channel catfish hatch rate (number of fry/number of eggs × 100) and control of naturally occurring infestations of fungi Saprolegnia spp. in an experimental compartmentalized trough hatching system. Experiments were run at water temperatures of 23.2–24.0°C, dissolved oxygen concentrations of 4.5–6.8 mg/L (53–79% saturation), total alkalinity of 209–217 mg/L, and total hardness of 91–110 mg/L. Treatments were applied to hatching compartments while well water was flowing at a rate of one water exchange every 30 min and egg density was 2.5 g eggs/L of water. Observations for fungal development were made daily, and the maximum measure of fungal growth was recorded. An initial range‐finding study demonstrated that H2O2 concentrations greater than 500 mg/L lowered the hatch rate. In later experiments, concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 mg/L applied for 6 d significantly increased the hatch rate and reduced fungal growth when compared with the controls. The 250‐mg/L H2O2 treatment had the highest mean hatch rate (64.4% compared with 24.7% for the controls), lowest incidence of fungal infestation (27.3% compared with 100% for the control), and the lowest average fungal growth (an average measure of 0.95 cm compared with 7.23 cm for the controls).

Management options, technologies and strategies for minimised mycotoxin contamination of rice

Ninety percent of the world's rice is produced and consumed in Asia. Millions of rice producers are resource-poor farmers with a rice area of less than one hectare. Yield increase and the introduction of double-cropping systems have ensured that rice production has kept up with an increasing demand. However, the increased quantities of grain and the second harvest, which is often in the wet season, have increased the problems in traditional postharvest systems. This can be particularly severe in the humid tropics, where post-harvest losses occur because of outdated management practices and technologies, and delays in post-harvest operations. Fungal infestation of rice grains can lead to discoloration, which results in price reductions in most markets. This can also result in rice being contaminated with mycotoxins, which is less visible to consumers. Contamination with ochratoxins, aflatoxins, and other mycotoxins have occasionally been reported in the literature. In the past, this was not seen as a significant problem and the focus was on other commodities such as maize and peanuts. However, recent studies and a massive recall of food products in Japan in September 2008, including sake, shoshu, and rice crackers made from imported rice from China and Vietnam, which were tested positive for aflatoxins, and also for pesticide residues, have renewed interest in looking at mycotoxin problems in rice. Exploratory studies in the Philippines compared best practice post-harvest management with the traditional management practices often used by smallholder farmers and small processors. It was concluded that synthesis of aflatoxin B1 is very likely in suboptimal post-harvest systems, with levels far above legislative limits. This indicates that there might be a considerable mycotoxin problem in rice from smallholder post-harvest operations. Improved post-harvest management options and technologies are available for diversified small-scale post-harvest systems. Small-scale combine harvesters, affordable and simple mechanical dryers and hermetic storage systems can help to avoid delays in the post-harvest chain and thus reduce mycotoxin contamination of rice. The development of strategies to scale out these improved practices and technologies to a large number of smallholder farmers will continue to be the main challenge.

Defense by Volatiles in Leaf-Mining Insect Larvae

The defense strategy of an insect toward natural enemies can include a trait that appears at first sight to contradict its defensive function. We explored phylogeny, chemistry, and defense efficiency of a peculiar group of hymenopteran sawfly larvae where this contradiction is obvious. Pseudodineurini larvae live in leaf mines that protect them from some enemies. Disturbed larvae also emit a clearly perceptible lemon-like odor produced by ventral glands, although the mine hampers the evaporation of the secretion. The mine could also lead to autointoxication of a larva by its own emitted volatiles. Citral was the major component in all Pseudodineurini species, and it efficiently repels ants. We conclude that full-grown larvae that leave their mine to pupate in the soil benefit from citral by avoiding attacks from ground-dwelling arthropods such as ants. In some species, we also detected biosynthetically related compounds, two 8-oxocitral diastereomers (i.e., (2E,6E)- and (2E,6Z)-2,6-dimethylocta-2,6-dienedial). Synthetic 8-oxocitral proved to be a potent fungicide, but not an ant repellent. The discrete distribution of 8-oxocitral was unrelated to species grouping in the phylogenetic tree. In contrast, we discovered that its presence was associated with species from humid and cold zones but absent in species favoring warm and dry environments. The former should be protected by 8-oxocitral when faced with a fungal infestation while crawling into the soil. Our work shows the importance of integrating knowledge about behavior, morphology, and life history stages for understanding the complex evolution of insects and especially their defense strategies.

Nanodisks protect amphotericin B from ultraviolet light and oxidation‐induced damage

Macrolide polyene antibiotics possess potent broad-spectrum antifungal properties. Use of these agents in the field or in controlled environments is impeded by their poor water solubility and susceptibility to oxidation- and/or light-induced degradation. While typically used for human disease therapy, there is potential to expand the utility of polyene macrolide antibiotics, such as amphotericin B, for control of fungal disease infestation in agricultural settings. Thus, the susceptibility of this antibiotic to exposure-induced activity loss was evaluated. Incubation of the prototype polyene amphotericin B (AMB) with phospholipid vesicles and apolipoprotein A-I results in the formation of nanoscale complexes, termed nanodisks (NDs), capable of solubilizing significant quantities of AMB. To evaluate whether AMB incorporation into NDs conferred protection against light- or oxidation-induced damage, yeast growth inhibition assays were conducted. Compared with AMB solubilized in detergent micelles, AMB incorporated into NDs was protected from damage caused by exposure to UV light as well as by KMnO(4)-induced oxidation. Furthermore, AMB-NDs inhibited growth of the turfgrass fungus Marasmius oreades Fr. Results suggest that this water-soluble formulation of a natural, biodegradable, antifungal agent represents a potential cost-effective, non-toxic and environmentally friendly substitute for chemical agents currently employed to control a range of fungal infestations.

Correlation between black point symptoms and fungal infestation and seedling viability of wheat kernels

The level of occurrence of black point, the spectrum of fungal species and damage to wheat seedling vigour associated with it were assessed during 2003 and 2004 in the Slovak Republic. The incidence of black point kernels ranged between 0.2–2.4% in 2003 and 24.2–34.3% in 2004. The kernels’ fungal contamination varied from 60% to 100%. <i>Alternaria</i> spp., <i>F. poae</i> and <i>F. culmorum</i> were isolated from all localities and all subsamples. <i>Stemphylium vesicarium</i>, <i>Fusarium culmorum</i>, <i>F. graminearum</i>, <i>F. avenaceum</i>, <i>F. sporotrichioides</i>, <i>Microdochium nivale</i>, <i>Epicoccum nigrum</i>, <i>Penicillium</i> spp., <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, <i>Rhizopus nigricans</i> and <i>Cochliobolus sativus</i> were isolated less frequently. Fungi of the genus Alternaria were the most dominant, followed by <i>Fusarium</i> and <i>Microdochium</i> among which <i>F. poae</i> was dominant. Irrespective of incubation temperature, the germinative capacity and coleoptile growth rate of discolored kernels were affected more in the wet and cold year 2004. The inhibition of germination and seedling viability was more pronounced at the incubation temperature 22°C than at 15°C. Inhibition of coleoptile growth rate was 0.12–3.12% in black point kernels collected in 2003, and 0.24–9.28% in those collected in 2004.

278 POSTER New curcumin analogues show enhanced antitumour activity in malignant melanoma cells

A total of 14 odoriferous angiospermic essential oils were tested against the toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus. The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris L. showed highest antifungal efficacy. The thyme oil absolutely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. flavus at 0.7 μl ml− 1 and exhibited a broad fungitoxic spectrum against eight different food contaminating fungi viz. Fusarium oxysporum, Cladosporium herbarum, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata and Botryodiploidia theobromae. The oil also showed significant antiaflatoxigenic efficacy as it completely arrested the aflatoxin B1 production at 0.6 μl ml− 1. Thyme oil as fungitoxicant was also found superior over most of the prevalent synthetic fungicides. The LC50 of thyme oil against mice was recorded as 7142.85 μl kg− 1 body weight indicating its non-mammalian toxicity and strengthening its safe exploitation as preservative for stored food commodities. The findings recommend the thyme oil as potential botanical preservative in eco-friendly control of biodeterioration of food commodities during storage.The thyme essential oil may be recommended for large scale application as a plant based preservative for stored food items because of its strong antifungal as well as antiaflatoxigenic efficacy. Because of broad antimicrobial spectrum, more efficacy over prevalent synthetic preservatives as well as non-mammalian toxicity, the thyme essential oil may be formulated as a safe and economical plant based preservative against post harvest fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination of food commodities.