Benzopyrone Coumarin Leads to an Inhibition of Ochratoxin Biosynthesis in Representatives of Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. via a Type of Feedback Response Mechanism

Abstract

Growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis of the ochratoxin-producing fungal strains Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus steynii, Penicillium verrucosum, and Penicillium nordium were analyzed on standard laboratory growth medium supplemented with different amounts of coumarin, an organic compound of the benzopyrone class. Neither the growth nor the phenotypic morphology of the filamentous fungi analyzed was affected by using coumarin concentrations equivalent to 2.5 to 25 μg/ml of medium. In contrast, the ochratoxin biosynthesis was strongly inhibited in both strains of the Aspergillus species and nearly completely inhibited in both Penicillium strains at coumarin concentrations above 8.75 μg/ml. Analyzing the transcriptional activity of the otapksPN polyketide synthase gene in P. nordicum using real-time PCR revealed a strong concentration-dependent decrease in gene expression. Taken together, the data show that ochratoxin biosynthesis in representative strains of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium could be effectively inhibited by coumarin in a concentration-dependent manner. It could be suggested that the molecular background behind this inhibition is some kind of feedback response mechanism, based on the structural similarity of coumarin to the benzopyrone moiety of the ochratoxin molecule.

Why the Coffee Powder is the Best Topical Wound Dressing?

“…During the phase of hemostasis, the coffee granule will provoke platelet adhesion and terminate any bleeding. Its benzopyrone capacity will be advantageous to stimulate macrophage activities against foreign biological matter [4]. It will excite proangiogenic growth hormones, such as VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), TGF (Transforming Growth Factor), FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor), PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor).…”

“…The coffee has benzopyrone. It is a defense mechanism stimulating the macrophages to phagocytize the microbes, foreign bodies, debris and clean the wound [4]. The wound cover with coffee powder functions against bacterial contamination and plays an active role in the healing process.…”