Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Species of Agave induces morphological changes in Aspergillus parasiticus Speare and Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries

Author(s):

Susana Lozano-Muñiz ¹, Santos García ^1*, Norma Heredia ¹, Rafael Castro-Franco ²

Recieved Date: 2011-01-05, Accepted Date: 2011-04-10

Abstract:

Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus produce aflatoxins that cause major losses in crop values. Correlations between morphological changes and loss of virulence or secondary metabolite production have been reported for filamentous fungi. Extracts of several species of Agave inhibit fungal growth and aflatoxin production; however, no information about their effects on fungal morphology is currently available. The antimicrobial activities of extracts of four agave species were analyzed on the growth and morphology of A. flavus and A. parasiticus in Czapek-Dox medium by scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that extracts of Agave asperrima inhibited fungal growth. The methanolic extracts of leaves and flowers [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 0.95±0.37 to 1±0.5 mg ml^-1] were the most active. The extracts of Agave americana L., A. lechuguilla Torr. and A. tequilana F.A.C. Weber were unable to inhibit fungal growth. However, extracts of A. americana (10 mg ml^-1) and extracts of A. asperrima (at concentrations lower than the MIC) produced an extensive, interlaced network of largely vegetative hyphae with a profound reduction in conidiophore formation. The extracts of plants studied here exert profound effects on the development of aflatoxigenic fungi, clearly altering their morphology and supporting a correlation between aflatoxin synthesis and conidiogenesis.

Keywords:

Agavaceae, sporulation, natural products, Aspergillus

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 768-771

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