Effect of natural compounds on Fusarium graminearum complex

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture Vol. 96; no. 12; pp. 3998 - 4008
• Main Authors: Heidtmann-Bemvenuti, Renata, Tralamazza, Sabina Moser, Jorge Ferreira, Cláudia Fetter, Corrêa, Benedito, Badiale-Furlong, Eliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-09-2016; John Wiley and Sons, Limited
• Subjects: Animal Feed - microbiology; Animals; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Diet - veterinary; Enzymes; ergosterol; Food Microbiology; Food science; Fungi; Fungicides; Fusarium - drug effects; Fusarium - genetics; Fusarium - growth & development; Fusarium graminearum; Gene expression; Gene Expression - drug effects; Genes, Fungal; glucosamine; Hordeum vulgare; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycotoxins; neem seeds; Pesticides; phenolic extract; Phenols; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Rice; rice bran; Searching; Toxins; Triticum aestivum; γ-oryzanol; glucosamine; neem seeds; phenolic extract; rice bran; γ-oryzanol; ergosterol
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7591

BACKGROUND
A search is underway for new solutions to counter farm loss caused by fungal contamination of grains, since the active agents of fungicides can remain in the environment and contribute to the development of resistant and toxigenic species. In this study, the antifungal activity of natural compounds (γ‐oryzanol, phenolic extract of neem seeds and of rice bran) was assessed on three toxigenic strains of Fusarium graminearum isolated from wheat, rice and barley. Their efficacy was compared to that of synthetic fungicides. The halo diameters were measured and the susceptible pathways were determined by the levels of structural compounds and activities of enzymes involved in the primary metabolism of the microorganisms. Moreover, mycotoxin production and gene expression were examined.
RESULTS
Phenolic extracts were more effective at inhibiting F. graminearum than was γ‐oryzanol, as evidenced by the minimum inhibitory concentration. This work contributed to the elucidation of the mechanism of action of natural antifungal agents.
CONCLUSION
Natural antifungals effectively inhibited fungal growth, especially via the inactivation of the enzymatic systems of F. graminearum. Natural antifungals inhibited mycotoxin production by the fungi. A correlation between the levels of deoxynivalenol and the expression of Tri5 gene was observed, indicating that the natural compounds could be considered alternatives to synthetic antifungals. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry