GARLIC (Allium sativum L.) ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST GROWTH AND AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION OF Aspergillus parasiticus

Abstract

Background: Aspergillus parasiticus is a mold to produce aflatoxins, and growth in maize; the used synthetic fungicides for their inhibition are risk to health and the environment.  However, garlic essential oil to have antifungal activity and can be alternative for control A. parasiticus. Objective/hypothesis: Essential garlic oil can inhibit the in vitro growth of A. parasiticus and its aflatoxins.  Methodology: The in vitro antifungal activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) essential oil was evaluated against A. parasiticus (radial growth and spore germination). In addition, the mean inhibitory concentrations (IC50) and minimum inhibitory (MIC) were calculated. Aflatoxins were tested on maize with High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Results: The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) and minimum inhibitory (MIC) obtained by Probit analyses with radial growth were 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil, respectively, in A. parasiticus. These concentrations inhibited spore germination until 24 h. Starting from 100 ppm of garlic essential oil, mycelial inhibition was shown. Evidence of inhibition of aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus in maize was not possible at concentrations of 971 and 2875 ppm garlic essential oil. Implications: The concentrations 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil inhibited the growth in vitro of A. parasiticus. However, they did not inhibit aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus into maize. Conclusion: Garlic essential oil inhibit the in vitro growth of A. parasiticus on growth radial and germination spores; but not inhibit aflatoxins production on maize to concentrations 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil.