Ar-turmerone suppresses Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin accumulation: Finding a new antifungal agent based on stored maize

Zheyu Li; Yanan Sun; Linghui Gu; Yuchi Wang; Mingqin Xu; Yunhao Zhou; Yichen Hu; Wenbo Ma

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112735

Ar-turmerone suppresses Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin accumulation: Finding a new antifungal agent based on stored maize

Food Res Int. 2023 Jun:168:112735. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112735. Epub 2023 Mar 22.

Authors

Zheyu Li¹, Yanan Sun², Linghui Gu³, Yuchi Wang³, Mingqin Xu³, Yunhao Zhou³, Yichen Hu⁴, Wenbo Ma⁵

Affiliations

¹ Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China. Electronic address: lizheyubm@163.com.
² Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, People's Republic of China.
³ Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: huyichen0323@126.com.
⁵ Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China. Electronic address: wenboma@hotmail.com.

PMID: 37120196
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112735

Abstract

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) is a common saprophytic pathogenic fungus that produces toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins prone to contaminate food. Here, we optimized the synthesis method of Ar-turmerone, the main active ingredient in turmeric essential oil, improved its yield and reduced the operation requirements. Moreover, 50.0 μg/mL Ar-turmerone 100.0 % inhibited the colonies growth, spore germination, mycelium biomass and aflatoxin accumulation in 7 days. 2,018 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) such as catA, ppoC, erg7, erg6 and aflO related to the A. flavus growth and aflatoxin product were significantly downregulated including 45 DEGs were 100.0 % suppressed. Besides, Ar-turmerone greatly reduced A. flavus in maize, the optimal storage conditions for maize to avoid A. flavus contamination were determined as 0.940 aw, 400.0 μg/mL Ar-turmerone, and 16.0 °C. Satisfactory odor, luster, taste, and mildew in maize observed after three weeks of storage under the optimal conditions. Thus, Ar-turmerone can be used as a potential food antifungal agent against A. flavus growth and aflatoxin accumulation during food storage.

Keywords: Aflatoxin; Ar-turmerone; Aspergillus flavus; Maize; Storage; Transcriptome.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aflatoxins* / analysis
Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
Aspergillus flavus*
Seeds / chemistry
Zea mays / genetics

Substances

Aflatoxins
Antifungal Agents
ar-turmerone