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Inhibitive effect of Urginea epigea methanolic extract and silver/zinc oxide nanoparticles on Aspergillus and aflatoxin production

Summary

Scientists tested a plant called Urginea epigea and special tiny particles made of silver and zinc to stop a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus flavus from growing and producing aflatoxins, which are harmful poisons found in food. When used at the right concentration, the plant extract completely stopped the fungus from growing. The treatment worked by turning off the fungus’s ability to make the poison by reducing the activity of specific genes. This natural approach could offer a safer alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting our food supply.

Background

Food crops contaminated with Aspergillus flavus produce aflatoxins, hazardous mycotoxins that threaten human and animal health. Natural antifungal agents are being explored as alternatives to synthetic fungicides. Urginea epigea bulb, widely distributed in Southern Africa, has known antibacterial and antioxidant properties with reported phytochemical content.

Objective

To assess the antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic effects of Urginea epigea methanolic extract and biosynthesized silver-zinc oxide nanoparticles on toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains. The study investigated whether these natural compounds could inhibit fungal growth and downregulate aflatoxin biosynthesis genes.

Results

At 50 mg/mL, U. epigea extract completely inhibited A. flavus growth (100% reduction). PCR data showed aflD and aflR expression was significantly downregulated (P < 0.005), with U. epigea causing a 50-fold decrease compared to Ag/ZnO nanoparticles showing 30-fold downregulation. Aflatoxin B1 production was substantially suppressed by the extract through its phytochemical content.

Conclusion

Urginea epigea methanolic extract demonstrated potent antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic activity against A. flavus by suppressing critical aflatoxin biosynthesis genes. The findings support U. epigea as a potential alternative antifungal agent to synthetic fungicides. Further research is needed to isolate active compounds, assess toxicity, and evaluate economic feasibility for practical applications.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40273086, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320454
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