Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of thymol and carvacrol against Aspergillus flavus

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2021v14n1.e7727
Keywords: Anti-infective agents, Aflatoxins, Mycotoxins, Natural products, Terpenes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thymol and carvacrol upon production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus and upon its growth. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), fungitoxic spectrum and mycotoxin inhibition were assessed. Results showed thymol and carvacrol exhibited fungicidal action, as determined by MIC values of 2500 and 30 µg mL-1, respectively. Both thymol and carvacrol significantly inhibited growth of A. flavus (p<0.05) at concentrations of 600 and 15 µg mL-1, respectively. Fungal biomass, as estimated by determination of ergosterol concentration, was significantly reduced (p<0.05) at thymol concentrations of 2500 µg mL-1 and at carvacrol concentrations of 250 µg mL-1. Thymol and carvacrol exhibited antiaflatoxigenic effects at concentrations of 600 and 125 µg mL-1, respectively. While both thymol and carvacrol showed possessing antifungal activities, neither were highly antiaflatoxigenic. Carvacrol and thymol might be considered for use as potential antifungal natural compounds against A. flavus.

Author Biographies

Lydiana Pollis Nakasugi, Centro Universitário Ingá – UNINGÁ
Professor at Ingá University Center - UNINGÁ, Maringá (PR), Brazil.
Natália Silva Bomfim, Faculdade de Tupã/UNIESP
Professor at College ESEFAP/UNIESP, Tupã (SP), Brazil.
Jessica Cristina Zoratto Romoli, Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM
PhD student at the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at the State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá (PR), Brazil.
Samuel Botião Nerilo, Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM
PhD student at the Postgraduate Program in Food Science at UEM, Maringá (PR), Brazil.
Milena Veronezi Silva, University of São Paulo - USP
PhD student at the Postgraduate Program in Toxicology at the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
Gustavo Henrique Rocha Oliveira, State University of Maringá - UEM
Permanent professor of the Postgraduate Programs in Health Sciences (PCS) and Food Science (PPC) at UEM, Maringá (PR), Brazil.
Miguel Machinski Jr, State University of Maringá - UEM
Permanent professor of the Postgraduate Programs in Health Sciences (PCS) and Food Science (PPC) at UEM, Maringá (PR), Brazil.

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Published
2021-02-26
Issue
Vol 14 No 1 (2021): jan./mar.
Section
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