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Application and Mechanism of Action of Carvacrol Against Aspergillus niger Causing Postharvest Rot of Garlic Scapes (Allium sativum L.)

Summary

Garlic scapes, the tender flower stalks of garlic plants, often rot during storage due to fungal infections. Researchers discovered that carvacrol, a natural compound found in herbs like thyme and oregano, effectively kills the fungi responsible for this spoilage. By damaging the fungal cell walls, carvacrol can help preserve fresh garlic scapes longer without synthetic chemicals, making it a promising natural food preservative for grocery stores and consumers.

Background

Garlic scapes are nutritious vegetables that experience significant postharvest losses due to fungal rot, particularly from Aspergillus niger. Carvacrol, a natural phenolic monoterpene found in essential oils of plants like thyme and oregano, has been recognized as a promising natural food preservative with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and identify the specific pathogenic fungus causing postharvest rot in garlic scapes, evaluate carvacrol’s antifungal activity, and determine the molecular mechanism of action through integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.

Results

The HQ strain was identified as Aspergillus niger with an EC50 value of 75.99 μg/L for carvacrol inhibition. Scanning electron microscopy revealed irreversible morphological damage to hyphae including deformation and rupture. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses demonstrated that carvacrol primarily targets the cell wall integrity signaling pathway within the MAPK signaling pathway, downregulating key components including RhoA, BCK1, MKK1, RLM1, and Fks2.

Conclusion

Carvacrol demonstrates significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger by targeting the CWI signaling pathway within the MAPK pathway, compromising cell wall integrity and fungal growth. This natural compound shows promise as an effective food preservative for extending shelf life and improving microbial safety of fresh produce in postharvest applications.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41149899, DOI: 10.3390/jof11100709
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