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Antagonistic Potential of Agro-Industrial Byproduct–Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria Against Mycotoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides

Summary

Researchers discovered that certain lactic acid bacteria found in food waste products can effectively prevent the growth of harmful fungi and block the production of dangerous mycotoxins. These bacteria work through multiple mechanisms including acidification and production of protective compounds. The findings suggest these natural bacteria could be used as safe, sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicides in food preservation and safety.

Background

Mycotoxins produced by fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides pose significant threats to food security and human health. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have emerged as promising biocontrol agents with antifungal and antimycotoxigenic potential due to their ability to inhibit fungal growth through multiple mechanisms.

Objective

This study investigated the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic potential of LAB isolates from agro-industrial byproducts against the toxigenic fungi Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides. The research aimed to characterize LAB strains phylogenetically and evaluate their antagonistic activity through multiple assay methods.

Results

Six L. pentosus strains achieved nearly 100% growth suppression against F. verticillioides in direct coculturing, while L. plantarum 71(6)-2F showed comparable activity to positive controls against A. flavus using CFS. All LAB-CFS treatments completely suppressed fumonisin B₁ and aflatoxin B₁ production to undetectable levels, demonstrating strong antimycotoxigenic effects.

Conclusion

LAB isolates from agro-industrial byproducts demonstrate significant antifungal and antimycotoxigenic potential against mycotoxigenic fungi. The findings underscore that different LAB strains employ distinct mechanisms of fungal inhibition, with both direct competition and specific pH-neutral antimicrobial metabolites contributing to their effectiveness as natural biocontrol agents.
  • Published in:International Journal of Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 41287627, DOI: 10.1155/ijm/9002943
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