Natural Control of Corn Postharvest Fungi Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp. Using Essential Oils from Plants Grown in Argentina

Boris X. Camiletti, Claudia M. Asensio, María de la Paz Giménez de la Pecci, Enrique I. Lucini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective in this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils from native and commercial aromatic plants grown in Argentina against corn postharvest fungi and to link the essential oil bioactivity with lipid oxidation and morphological changes in fungus cell membrane. Essential oil (EO) of oregano variety Mendocino (OMen), Cordobes (OCor), and Compacto (OCom), mint variety Inglesa (Mi), and Pehaujo (Mp), Suico (Sui); rosemary (Ro), and Aguaribay (Ag) were tested in vitro against 4 corn fungi: A. flavus (CCC116-83 and BXC01), P. oxalicum (083296), and P. minioluteum (BXC03). The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined. The chemical profiles of the EOs were analyzed by GC-MS. Lipid oxidation in cell membrane of fungi was determined by hydroperoxides and related with essential oil antifungal activity. The major compounds were Thymol in OCor (18.66%), Omen (12.18%), and OCom (9.44%); menthol in Mi and Mp; verbenone in Sui; dehydroxy-isocalamendiol in Ag; and eucaliptol in Ro. OCor, Omen, and OCom showed the best antifungal activity. No antifungal activity was observed in Ag and Ro EO. The hydroperoxide value depended on the fungi (P < 0.001) and the antimicrobial agent (P < 0.001).Membrane lipids were oxidized by Sui EO in A. flavus BXC01 and A. flavus CCC116-83 (0.021 and 0.027 meqO2/kg, respectively). The results suggest that the EOs of OCor, OMen, OCom, Mi, Mp, and Sui grown in Argentina can be used as natural alternatives to control fungi that produce mycotoxin in maize. Practical Application: The use of natural fungicides instead of synthetic ones covers is a present trend in corn postharvest disease control. The quality and food safety of corn could be preserved by the addition of natural antifungal agents as essential oils. This research shows that the essential oils inhibit the growth of fungi and therefore, the formation of mycotoxins. Because of this, the use of these essential oils should be considered for the industry as a natural biocide agent for preserving quality properties and food safety in postharvest cereals, such as corn.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)M2499-M2506
JournalJournal of food science
Volume79
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antifungal activity
  • Corn essential oils

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science

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