Inhibition effect of 2-ethylhexanol against Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 mainly by disrupting cell membrane and downregulating genes related to ergosterol synthesis and aflatoxins global regulator

Kaige Zhang; Qingyun Wang; Naiyue Zhang; Lu Yu; Qinlu Lin; Wenhua Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145263

Inhibition effect of 2-ethylhexanol against Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B₁ mainly by disrupting cell membrane and downregulating genes related to ergosterol synthesis and aflatoxins global regulator

Food Chem. 2025 Jun 21:491:145263. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145263. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kaige Zhang¹, Qingyun Wang², Naiyue Zhang¹, Lu Yu¹, Qinlu Lin³, Wenhua Zhou⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China.
² College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, Changsha 410004, China. Electronic address: T20041485@csuft.edu.cn.
³ National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, Changsha 410004, China.
⁴ College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, Changsha 410004, China.

PMID: 40577915
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145263

Abstract

To provide insights into the antifungal effect of 2-ethylhexanol, its effects on Aspergillus flavus spore germination, aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) production, cell damage, related gene expression, and control of A. flavus in maize, wheat, and peanuts were evaluated. A. flavus spore germination was completely inhibited by 2-ethylhexanol at 0.17 μL/mL using fumigation method, or at 0.78 μL/mL using liquid mixing method. A. flavus biomass and AFB₁ content were substantially reduced, the cell wall and cell membrane were disrupted by 2-ethylhexanol, causing cell content leakage, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and DNA damage. Furthermore, A. flavus genes related to ergosterol synthesis and aflatoxins global regulator were downregulated by 2-ethylhexanol. The A. flavus population, free fatty acid and AFB₁ content of the three tested grains were notably reduced by 2-ethylhexanol fumigation. These results demonstrated the potential application value of 2-ethylhexanol in the control of A. flavus in food and grains.

Keywords: 2-Ethylhexanol; Aflatoxin B₁; Aspergillus flavus; Ergosterol synthesis.