Evaluation ofPhyllanthus polyphyllusL. Extract and its Active Constituent as a Source of Antifungal, Anti-Aflatoxigenic, and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the antifungal activities of Phyllanthus polyphyllus L. leaf extract, to isolate its active constituent 4-o-methyl gallic acid (4-o-MGA), and to determine the antioxidant and antiaflatoxigenic properties. The bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract led to the isolation of active compound 4-o-methylgallic acid. The methanol extract showed the highest amount of phenolic content (290 mg GAE/g dry extract), which indicated the involvement of phenolic compounds in the radical scavenging activity observed by the methanol extract. The antioxidant capacity of 4-o-MGA was greater than the standard butylated hydroxytoluene, followed by methanol extract. The concentration-dependent growth inhibitory activity was observed against the tested fungi, in which the field fungi were susceptible, while the storage fungi were found to be more resistant including aflatoxigenic A. flavus. A correlation was observed between fungal biomass and aflatoxin production in control and treatment, there was a decrease in biomass of A. flavus and aflatoxin production with increasing concentration. The aflatoxin production was completely inhibited in vitro by methanol extract at 1 mg/mL and 4-o-MGA at 2 mg/mL, but the mycelial growth was not inhibited completely. The inhibition of aflatoxin production was relatively higher than the mycelial growth inhibition of A. flavus, such behaviors might have been determined by the presence of hydrolysable tannin 4-o-MGA in the extract, which is known to inhibit the aflatoxin biosynthesis. The significant antioxidant and aflatoxin inhibitory activities of P. polyphyllus could be exploited for its application in preventing oxidative deterioration and fungal spoilage of food products.

In Vitro Determination of the Antifungal Activity of Artemisia campestris Essential Oil from Algeria

“…[6] Therefore, researchers have focused on the potentiality of plants and their metabolites to inhibit toxigenic fungus growth and/or toxin production as a useful tool for controlling mycotoxin contamination of crops and agricultural commodities. [7] Plant products, especially essential oils, are recognized as one of the most promising groups of natural compounds for the development of safer antifungal agents. [8] The antimicrobial compounds in plant materials are commonly contained in the essential oil fraction of leaves (rosemary, sage), flowers and flower buds (clove), bulbs (garlic, onion), rhizomes (asafoetida), fruit (pepper, cardamom), or other parts of the plant.…”

Inhibitory effect ofCynara cardunculusL. extract on aflatoxin B1 production byAspergillus parasiticusin sesame (Sesamum indicumL.)

“…[10] Research studies have proved several properties of artichoke, such as antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, antigenotoxic, cholesterol-lowering, hepatoprotective, bile-expelling, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory, as well as antifungal, anti-HIV, and antibacterial effects. [11][12][13][14] In addition, a correlation between the antioxidant capacity of many plants and their antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-aflatoxigenic activities has been reported in the literature. [15][16][17][18] However, data related to the anti-aflatoxigenic properties of artichoke species are scarce.…”

Search for aflatoxin and trichothecene production inhibitors and analysis of their modes of action

“…These results showed that methyl syringate has a unique inhibitory activity toward aflatoxin production with a different mode of action from that of gallic acid. Recently, 4-O-methylgallic acid (24) was shown to inhibit aflatoxin production of A. flavus at the concentration of 2 mg/mL without affecting the fungal growth. 24) Microbial metabolites.…”

“…Recently, 4-O-methylgallic acid (24) was shown to inhibit aflatoxin production of A. flavus at the concentration of 2 mg/mL without affecting the fungal growth. 24) Microbial metabolites. Many bioactive compounds produced by a variety of microbes are practically used not only in medicine but also in agriculture.…”