Evaluation of antifungal properties of some medicinal plants against Aspergillus flavus isolated from contaminated Corn in vitro

Abstract

Aspergillus strains especiallyA. flavus and A. parasiticus are the most frequent grains molds producing carcinogenic aflatoxins, which is one of the main challenges in the agriculture and food industries. Chem. pesticides for control of the fungi have adverse effects on human health and environment; therefore, the necessity of finding acceptable substitutes for these substances seem apparent. In the present study, aq. exts. of aerial parts of zataria (Zataria multiflora Boiss.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), senna (Cassia senna L.), and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) along with flowers of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) were examd. against A. flavus isolated from contaminated corn. The exts. with different concns. (100-600 ppm) and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) with equal osmotic potential of the plant exts. were added to potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium to evaluate fungus growth after 7 days and using agar diln. method. All concns. of the exts. significantly inhibited the fungus growth in comparison with each other and the control, while the exts. of thyme and zataria were manifested to be the most effective prohibition with min. inhibitory concn. (MIC) of 600 ppm. Potency of the plants' exts. on the growth of fungus was evaluated as follows: zataria> thymus> safflower> peppermint> pennyroyal> senna> basil. Results of this study presented aq. exts. of thyme and zataria as effective preservatives against growth of A. flavus forcorn products. [on SciFinder(R)]