title: Antifungal properties and inhibitory effects upon aflatoxin production of Thymus vulgaris L. by Aspergillus flavus Link.
abstract: The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) were evaluated upon Aspergillus flavus "in vitro". Suspension containing 10(6) of A. flavus were cultivated with TEO in concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 μg/mL. TEO reached minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) at 250 μg/mL. Inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis was detected at a concentration of 100 μg/mL of TEO. Morphological evaluation performed by both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that antifungal activity of TEO could be detected starting at a concentration of 50 μg/mL and the fungicide effect at a concentration of 250 μg/mL. TEO completely inhibited production of both B1 and B2 aflatoxins (AFB1 and AFB2) at a concentration of 150 μg/mL. This way, fungal biomass development and aflatoxin production were dependent on TEO concentration. Therefore, TEO was capable of controlling the growth of A. flavus and its production of aflatoxins.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Post-Graduate Program, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cássia Yumie
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kohiyama
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Post-Graduate Program, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Milene Mayumi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yamamoto Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone Aparecida Galerani
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mossini
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bando
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Post-Graduate Program, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália da Silva
authors.initials: Nda S
authors.lastname: Bomfim
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Post-Graduate Program, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Samuel Botião
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nerilo
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Henrique Oliveira
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Post-Graduate Program, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grespan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jane Martha Graton
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mikcha
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringa, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil. Electronic address: mmjunior@uem.br.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machinski
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C029753:aflatoxin B2; D016604:Aflatoxin B1
keywords: Antifungal; Aspergillus flavus; Ergosterol; Mycotoxins; Thyme essential oil