Multitarget environmental approach for control of growth and toxin production by Fusarium culmorum using essential oils and antioxidants.

Abstract

Twenty-three essential oils and six antioxidants were screened for control of growth of the mycotoxigenic species Fusarium culmorum. Of these, three essential oils (bay, clove and cinnamon oil) and two antioxidants (propyl paraben and hydroxymethylanisole) were found to be effective in controlling growth in the at concentrations of 50-200 ppm at 15°C and 25°C over the range 0.995 to 0.955 water activity (aw). More detailed studies were carried out to examine the efficacy of interactions between water activity aw (0.955, 0.995), temperature (15°C and 25°C) and these control treatments (100 ppm; 500 ppm) on growth and both deoxynivalenol and nivalenol mycotoxin production by F. culmorum on irradiated wheat grain. Higher concentrations of these control treatments (500 ppm) were needed to reduce or inhibit growth significantly on wheat grain when compared to that in vitro. Growth of F. culmorum was significantly affected by temperature, aw and antifungal treatment. At 100 ppm concentration the essential oils/antioxidants stimulated growth under some of the experimental conditions. Growth was significantly inhibited by 500 ppm concentration. Cinnamon and clove essential oils were the most effective inhibitors of growth regardless of temperature or aw level used. The control treatments had a variable effect on the production of mycotoxins by F. culmorum. Butylated hydroxy anisole and clove oil inhibited nivalenol and deoxynivalenol production at both 100 and 500 ppm concentration on wheat grain. However, propyl paraben and cinnamon oil enhanced nivalenol production at 100 ppm and intermediate aw levels.

Insecticidal activity of synthetic antioxidants, natural phytochemicals, and essential oils against an Aspergillus section Flavi vector (Oryzaephilus surinamensis L.) in microcosm

“…The effects of essential oil of clove and its principal components eugenol, on growth and mycotoxin production by some toxigenic fungal genera like Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp. had been reported previously (Cairns and Magan 2003, Hope et al 2003, Velluti et al 2003, 2004. This component was able to inhibit both growth and/or mycotoxin production (Bluma and Etcheverry 2008).…”

Control ofAspergillussectionFlavigrowth and aflatoxin accumulation by plant essential oils

“…Growth rate stimulation was observed in some cases when Aspergillus section Flavi grew with the lowest concentration of peperina and peppermint essential oils; however, this stimulation did not occur in all aflatoxigenic isolates. The stimulation on growth rate and mycotoxin production by suboptimal concentration of different essential oils was observed by Cairns and Magan (2002) and Hope et al (2002). Under these conditions, active growth is likely to occur and the imposition of stress could result in a survival or defence response by enhanced mycotoxin production .…”

Antifungal Activities of Thyme, Clove and Oregano Essential Oils

“…2000). Some studies have shown that specific essential oils and phenolic compounds can control the growth rate and spore germination time of spoilage fungi (Hope et al . 2003).…”