Lamium album Flower Extracts: A Novel Approach for Controlling Fusarium Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis

Abstract

Lamium album is a medicinal flowering plant that is rich in bioactive compounds with various biological properties. Fusarium species, known for causing significant crop losses and mycotoxin contamination, pose threats to food safety and human health. While synthetic fungicides are commonly employed for fungal management, their environmental impact prompts the ongoing development of alternative methods. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L. album flower extracts in inhibiting the in vitro growth and biosynthesis of mycotoxins by Fusarium culmorum and F. proliferatum strains. The extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 (SC-CO2). The effects of various concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) were assessed on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium using the “poisoning” technique. L. album flower extracts reduced mycelium growth by 0 to 30.59% for F. culmorum and 27.71 to 42.97% for F. proliferatum. Ergosterol content was reduced by up to 88.87% for F. culmorum and 93.17% for F. proliferatum. Similarly, the amounts of synthesized mycotoxins produced by both strains were also lower compared to control cultures. These findings are a preliminary phase for further in vivo tests planned to determine the fungistatic effect of L. album flower extracts on cereal substrates as seedlings incubated in controlled environments and under field conditions. Their phytotoxicity and biological stability, as well as the possibility of formulating a bio-preparation to protect cereals against Fusarium infections, will be evaluated.

Efficacy of Lamium album as a natural fungicide: impact on seed germination, ergosterol, and mycotoxins in Fusarium culmorum-infected wheat seedlings

“…decreased ERG production by the Fusarium verticillioides strain (Abhishek et al, 2015). Previous in vitro study also showed L. album flower extract activity against F. culmorum and F. proliferatum, reducing ERG content (Uwineza et al, 2023).…”

“…To understand the mechanisms of action, researchers identified its chemical constituents and found that it has various chemicals, including iridoid glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, and other compounds with diverse biological properties (Damtoft, 1992;Pereira et al, 2012;Pourmirzaee et al, 2019;Sulborska et al, 2020;Uwineza et al, 2021). In recent in vitro research, L. album flower extracts demonstrated promising effects against Fusarium species, emphasizing its versatile applications (Uwineza et al, 2023). Most studies focus on plant extracts' fungicidal or fungistatic effects (García-Ramírez et al, 2023).…”

“…The study aimed to assess the efficacy of L. album flower extract [obtained by using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 )] on wheat seed germination and analyze its antifungal action against F. culmorum in artificially infected wheat seedlings. Our previous research has shown a promising in vitro effect of L. album against F. culmorum and F. proliferatum (Uwineza et al, 2023), and the literature has indicated that infections in seedlings and basal stems often originate from seed or soil-borne inoculum, leading to significant yield losses due to damaged seedlings, pre-harvest lodging, and impaired grain filling (Gebremariam et al, 2020). Therefore, controlling Fusarium infection from the early stage may promise better harvesting.…”

Field Assessment of Lamium album in Reducing Mycotoxin Biosynthesis in Winter Wheat Infected by Fusarium culmorum

“…The mode of action of plant-based compounds against fungi depends on various factors like fungal strain, the profile and purity of bioactive compounds, the type of solvent used for extraction, and the conditions in which these compounds are used [18,19]. In our previous research, extracts derived from L. album flowers have demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the growth of Fusarium pathogens and reducing mycotoxin biosynthesis on PDA and in wheat seedlings [20]. Many authors have studied and confirmed the in vitro effect of various plant extracts against Fusarium spp.…”