Inhibition of aflatoxin B production of Aspergillus flavus, isolated from soybean seeds by certain natural plant products.
OBJECTIVE
The inhibitory effect of cowdung fumes, Captan, leaf powder of Withania somnifera, Hyptis suaveolens, Eucalyptus citriodora, peel powder of Citrus sinensis, Citrus medica and Punica granatum, neem cake and pongamia cake and spore suspension of Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus niger on aflatoxin B(1) production by toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus isolated from soybean seeds was investigated.


RESULTS
Soybean seed was treated with different natural products and fungicide captan and was inoculated with toxigenic strain of A. flavus and incubated for different periods. The results showed that all the treatments were effective in controlling aflatoxin B(1) production. Captan, neem cake, spore suspension of T. harzianum, A. niger and combination of both reduced the level of aflatoxin B(1) to a great extent. Leaf powder of W. somnifera, H. suaveolens, peel powder of C. sinensis, C. medica and pongamia cake also controlled the aflatoxin B(1) production.


CONCLUSIONS
All the natural product treatments applied were significantly effective in inhibiting aflatoxin B(1) production on soybean seeds by A. flavus.


CONCLUSIONS
These natural plant products may successfully replace chemical fungicides and provide an alternative method to protect soybean and other agricultural commodities from aflatoxin B(1) production by A. flavus.
Krishnamurthy
Y L
YL
Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shimoga District, Karnataka, India. murthy_ylk@yahoo.co.in
Shashikala
J
J
D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002215:Captan / Q000494:pharmacology; D002957:Citrus; D032084:Citrus sinensis; D005052:Eucalyptus; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031331:Hyptis; D029561:Lythraceae; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000382:microbiology*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000382:microbiology*
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D002215:Captan