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Research Project: Developing Resistance to Aflatoxin through Seed-Based Technologies

Location: Food and Feed Safety Research

Title: Antifungal activities of Hedychium essential oils and plant extracts against mycotoxigenic fungi

Authors

Submitted to: Journal of Crop Improvement
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 9, 2011
Publication Date: May 30, 2012
Citation: Rajasekaran, K., Sakhanokho, H.F., Tabanca, N. 2012. Antifungal activities of Hedychium essential oils and plant extracts against mycotoxigenic fungi. Journal of Crop Improvement. 26:389-396.

Interpretive Summary: Natural products from diverse plant species are effective against several insect and microbial pests. Essential oil extracted from rhizomes and plant extracts of ornamental ginger lily were evaluated for their antifungal activity against two fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides that produce two major classes of mycotoxins, aflatoxin and fumonisin respectively, on several crops. Essential oil or leaf extracts from several Hedychium species and varieties totally inhibited the growth of pre-germinated spores of A. flavus and F. verticillioides. Control of these two fungi by aqueous extracts of rhizome was not significant although reduced number of colonies were observed. Availability of natural products for the control of mycotoxin producing fungi will be useful for development of safer means of toxin control. In addition, the value of the ornamental crop will be enhanced. This information will be useful to plant breeders, toxicologists, and horticulturists for development of novel ornamental nursery crop as well as its use in mycotoxin control.

Technical Abstract: Plant-derived antifungal compounds are preferred to chemicals to reduce the risk of toxic effects on humans, livestock and the environment. Essential oil extracted from rhizomes and plant extracts of ornamental ginger lily (Hedychium spp.) were evaluated for their antifungal activity against two fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides that produce two major classes of mycotoxins, aflatoxin and fumonisin, respectively, on several crops. Essential oil or leaf extracts from several Hedychium species and varieties totally inhibited the growth of pre-germinated spores of A. flavus and F. verticillioides. Control of these two fungi by aqueous extracts of rhizome was not effective although reduced number of colonies were observed. In view of these results, essential oils or crude leaf extracts from Hedychium spp. need to be considered for the control of mycotoxin-producing fungi under storage conditions.

   

 
Project Team
Cary, Jeffrey
Brown, Robert
Rajasekaran, Kanniah - Rajah
Bhatnagar, Deepak
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)
 
Related Projects
   GENETIC ENGINEERING COTTON FOR ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS
   DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXIN-RESISTANCE IN CORN INBREDS
   Identification of Regulatory Genes in A. Flavus and A. Nidulans that are Involved in Mycotoxin Production, Morphogenesis, and Virulence
   DEVELOPMENT OF RAPID, NON-DESTRUCTIVE HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING METHODOLOGY TO MEASURE FUNGAL GROWTH AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION
   Identification of Novel Sources of Resistance to Ear Rot and Aflatoxin Accumulation in Corn
   NOVEL GENES/PROMOTERS FOR TOLERANCE TO ABIOTIC AND BIOTIC STRESS AND THEIR ROLE(S) IN ASPERGILLUS INFECTION AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION
   IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF PROTEINS/GENES ASSOCIATED WITH AFLATOXIN-RESISTANCE IN SOYBEAN AND MAIZE
   IDENTIFICATION OF GENETIC MARKERS FOR RESISTANCE TO ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS GROWTH AND AFLATOXIN ACCUMULATION
   TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AFLATOXIN: MODELS OF ECONOMIC LOSS AND INDUSTRY LEARNING
   IDENTIFICATION OF GENE MARKERS IN AFLATOXIN-RESISTANT MAIZE LINES DEVELOPED THROUGH THE IITA-USDA-SRRC COLLABORATION
 
 
Last Modified: 06/19/2013
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