Cinnamaldehyde inhibits fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by modulating the oxidative stress response of Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is a promising natural preservative and generally recognized as safe for commodities as well as consumers. In this work, the antifungal effects of CIN on Aspergillus flavus were evaluated both in solid and in liquid culture conditions. Our results indicated that CIN effectively inhibited radial growth, spore production, mycelium formation, and aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by A. flavus in a dose-dependent manner. At the concentration of 104 mg L(-1), CIN exposure was able to completely inhibit fungal growth as well as aflatoxin B1 production. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of CIN were closely connected with the treatment period and the tested fungal species. Compared with the control strains, CIN dose dependently changed the morphology and ultrastructure of mycelium in different degree. Especially, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide was considered to follow the destruction of mitochondrial. Meanwhile, CIN significantly cut the levels of lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione. The activity of total superoxide dismutase was significantly inhibited after CIN treatment at the end of incubation, whereas the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were opposite. These results indicated that the inhibitory effect of CIN could attribute to oxidative stress alleviation possibly induced by modifications of cellular structure as well as redox status.

Piperine inhibits aflatoxin B1 production in Aspergillus flavus by modulating fungal oxidative stress response

“…This causes alteration of cellular functions by inducing damages to DNA, proteins or lipids (Montibus et al, 2013). Studies performed in Aspergilli, have demonstrated that several aflatoxin inhibitors can modulate the antioxidant system in fungi (Grintzalis et al, 2014;Reverberi et al, 2005;Sun et al, 2015). Thus, in the present study, we investigated the molecular impact of the anti-aflatoxigenic molecule piperine over the expression of the entire AFB1 gene cluster as well as its impact on a gene-network involved in oxidative stress response and cellular signalization.…”

“…For instance, dithiothreitol, dimethyl sulfoxide as well as β-glucans from Lentinula edodes greatly inhibit AFB1 production with an increase in SOD enzymatic activity (Reverberi et al 2005;Grintzalis et al 2014). Conversely, ascorbic acid and cinnamaldehyde resulted in AFB1 modulation going with an increase in CAT activity (Grintzalis et al 2014;Sun et al 2015). Our results demonstrate that piperine enhances CAT enzymatic activity (at least via the over expression of atfB) as part of the mechanism of action occurring during AFB1…”

Exogenous β‐aminobutyric acid application attenuates Aspergillus decay, minimizes aflatoxin B1 accumulation, and maintains nutritional quality in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels

“…Oxidative stress, with higher O 2 − and H 2 O 2 accumulation, is also crucial for fungal growth and AFB1 biosynthesis by A. flavus . Attenuating oxidative stress by higher phenol and flavonoid accumulation and higher SOD and CAT enzyme activity may therefore be crucial for minimizing AFB1 biosynthesis by A. flavus . In our present study, therefore, lower kernel AFB1 accumulation in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels, infected by A. flavus but treated with BABA at 7.5 mM, may originate from higher phenol and flavonoid accumulation exhibiting ROS scavenging capacity for attenuating oxidative stress.…”

“…It has been suggested that the higher O 2 − and H 2 O 2 accumulation is responsible for A. flavus growth, therefore attenuating oxidative stress may have efficiency for delaying A. flavus growth. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Accordingly, lower in vitro spore germination and germ-tube elongation of A. flavus treated with BABA at 7.5 mM may originate from the promotion of ROS scavenging enzyme activity by BABA, which resulted in oxidative stress attenuation, therefore delaying A. flavus growth. Also, chelating endogenous Fe 3+ by BABA may be beneficial for attenuating oxidative stress by decreasing Fe 3+ accumulation resulting in lower Fenton reaction operation.…”

Recuperating Lung Decoction Attenuates the Oxidative Stress State of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Inhibiting the MAPK/AP-1 Signal Pathway and Regulating γ-GCS

“…The Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), an effective constituent in Radix Astragalus in RLD, plays some roles in antioxidation in lung tissues of rats with asthma by reduction of the phosphorylation level of the MAPK signal pathway to inhibit its excessive activation induced by OVA [55, 56]. The cinnamaldehyde present in Ramulus Cinnamomi significantly reduces the peroxidation of lipids and the amount of GSH by inhibition of the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and by upregulation of the expression of Nrf2 [57, 58]. The atractylon in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz was reported to have strong antioxidative abilities [59, 60].…”