Inhibition of growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis in Aspergillus carbonarius by flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds

Abstract

The effect of naturally occurring phenolic compounds on Aspergillus carbonarius growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production was studied. Caffeic acid and the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin, were added to Czapek Yeast Extract agar at concentrations ranging between 50 and 500 mg/l. All phenolic compounds had a significant influence on growth rate and lag phase of A. carbonarius at 250 mg/l. The growth was completely inhibited with 500 mg/l. In comparison with the control, a significant decrease in OTA production was observed with all phenolic compounds. In general, effect on growth was less evident than effect on toxin production. An inhibitory effect on growth and OTA production, as concentration was increased was observed in all cases. The response of A. carbonarius to the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin, was similar. The inhibitory effect of these natural phenolic compounds on fungal growth and OTA production could be an alternative to the use of chemical fungicides.

Equisetumarvense hydro‐alcoholic extract: phenolic composition and antifungal and antimycotoxigenic effect against Aspergillusflavus and Fusariumverticillioides in stored maize

“…Other important phenolic compounds found in our extract were quercetin and caffeic acid; these compounds have been shown to completely inhibit growth and aflatoxin production by both A. flavus and A. parasiticus , and growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus carbonarius , and was found effective against A. flavus , A. niger , F. moniliformae and R . bataticola .…”

Preliminary report on antifungal activity of a Solanum nigrum extract against five mycotoxin-producing fungi

“…The antifungal activity of the extract may be also due to the other phytochemical constituents, such as naturally occurring phenolic compounds. In other plants, these compounds have been found important for inhibiting growth and toxin production by toxigenic fungi (Guiraud et al, 1995;Beekrum et al 2003;Bisogno et al, 2007;Palumbo et al 2007;Romero et al, 2009). For instance, the growth of A. carbonarius and OTA production may be inhibited by some phenolic compounds (e.g.…”

“…For instance, the growth of A. carbonarius and OTA production may be inhibited by some phenolic compounds (e.g. caffeic acid, quercetin, and rutin), especially at higher concentrations (Romero et al, 2009).…”

Effect of Antioxidant Mixtures on Growth and Ochratoxin A Production of Aspergillus Section Nigri Species under Different Water Activity Conditions on Peanut Meal Extract Agar

“…It has been reported that subinhibitory doses together with inadequate distribution of preservative, especially at low water activities, could enhance fungal growth [37,38]. This behavior was also observed in population of Aspergillus species with some concentration of propionate mixtures [39], trihydroxybutyrophenone (THB) [23], peppermint and boldus [40], quercetin and caffeic acid [41]. This behavior suggests that the combinations of antioxidants should be assayed at several concentrations, with various strains and environmental conditions to find safe concentrations and prevent undesirable effects.…”