The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize
The efficacy of eleven essential oils (EOs) against <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> NRRL 3357 was investigated. The highest antifungal activity against this aflatoxigenic fungus was exhibited by cinnamon, oregano and lemongrass, which showed low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values un...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/9/562 |
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| author | Fangzhi Xiang Qianqian Zhao Kai Zhao Hao Pei Fang Tao |
| author_facet | Fangzhi Xiang Qianqian Zhao Kai Zhao Hao Pei Fang Tao |
| author_sort | Fangzhi Xiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The efficacy of eleven essential oils (EOs) against <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> NRRL 3357 was investigated. The highest antifungal activity against this aflatoxigenic fungus was exhibited by cinnamon, oregano and lemongrass, which showed low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values under vapor conditions. Interactions of the three EOs were evaluated by the fractional inhibition concentration index (FICI), and the composite essential oils (CEO) showed synergistic inhibitory activities. Chemical analysis of the composite essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, and lemongrass (COL-CEO) revealed that (Z)-citral (33.44%), (E)-citral (32.88%) and carvacrol (19.84%) were the dominant components, followed by limonene (4.29%) and cinnamaldehyde (3.76%). COL-CEO not only inhibited fungal growth but also decreased aflatoxin B1 production by <i>A. flavus</i>. Downregulation of the relative expression of aflatoxin genes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway by COL-CEO revealed its anti-aflatoxigenic mechanism. COL-CEO could also affect the colonization of <i>A. flavus</i> on maize grains. Therefore, COL-CEO may be considered as a potential natural antifungal agent, which could be used for the storage of maize and other grains. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:40:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f7a6eb8d858249d7b7fa14ebbf962208 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:40:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-f7a6eb8d858249d7b7fa14ebbf9622082023-11-20T12:07:43ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512020-09-0112956210.3390/toxins12090562The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in MaizeFangzhi Xiang0Qianqian Zhao1Kai Zhao2Hao Pei3Fang Tao4School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaThe efficacy of eleven essential oils (EOs) against <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> NRRL 3357 was investigated. The highest antifungal activity against this aflatoxigenic fungus was exhibited by cinnamon, oregano and lemongrass, which showed low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values under vapor conditions. Interactions of the three EOs were evaluated by the fractional inhibition concentration index (FICI), and the composite essential oils (CEO) showed synergistic inhibitory activities. Chemical analysis of the composite essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, and lemongrass (COL-CEO) revealed that (Z)-citral (33.44%), (E)-citral (32.88%) and carvacrol (19.84%) were the dominant components, followed by limonene (4.29%) and cinnamaldehyde (3.76%). COL-CEO not only inhibited fungal growth but also decreased aflatoxin B1 production by <i>A. flavus</i>. Downregulation of the relative expression of aflatoxin genes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway by COL-CEO revealed its anti-aflatoxigenic mechanism. COL-CEO could also affect the colonization of <i>A. flavus</i> on maize grains. Therefore, COL-CEO may be considered as a potential natural antifungal agent, which could be used for the storage of maize and other grains.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/9/562<i>Aspergillus flavus</i>composite essential oilssynergistic effectaflatoxin B1maize grains |
| spellingShingle | Fangzhi Xiang Qianqian Zhao Kai Zhao Hao Pei Fang Tao The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize Toxins <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> composite essential oils synergistic effect aflatoxin B1 maize grains |
| title | The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize |
| title_full | The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize |
| title_fullStr | The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize |
| title_short | The Efficacy of Composite Essential Oils against Aflatoxigenic Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in Maize |
| title_sort | efficacy of composite essential oils against aflatoxigenic fungus i aspergillus flavus i in maize |
| topic | <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> composite essential oils synergistic effect aflatoxin B1 maize grains |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/9/562 |
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