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The Effect of Mushroom Culture Filtrates on the Inhibition of Mycotoxins Produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus carbonarius

Summary

Researchers tested extracts from 42 different mushroom species to find ones that could prevent harmful toxins produced by mold from contaminating our food and animal feed. They discovered that two mushroom species—turkey tail mushroom and a species called Schizophyllum commune—produced compounds that blocked over 90% of toxin production. These mushroom compounds work by boosting the mold’s natural defense systems, essentially making it unable to produce the dangerous toxins.

Background

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are major mycotoxins of agroeconomic significance produced by Aspergillus species. Previous research showed that extracts from wood-decaying mushrooms like Lentinula edodes and Trametes versicolor inhibit mycotoxin biosynthesis. This study aimed to identify mushroom polysaccharides capable of simultaneously inhibiting both AFB1 and OTA production.

Objective

To screen 42 isolates of ligninolytic mushrooms for their ability to inhibit both AFB1 synthesis in Aspergillus flavus and OTA synthesis in Aspergillus carbonarius, with the goal of finding metabolites suitable for biological control and integrated mycotoxin management strategies.

Results

Four isolates inhibited OTA synthesis and 11 inhibited AFB1 by >50%. Two strains—Trametes versicolor TV117 and Schizophyllum commune S.C. Ailanto—produced metabolites inhibiting both mycotoxins by >90%. The active compound in S. commune appeared to be a polysaccharide with structure similar to schizophyllan that enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in target fungal cells.

Conclusion

Schizophyllum commune S.C. Ailanto represents a potential biological control agent for mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. Further research is needed to confirm the exact structure of the active polysaccharide and establish whether synthetic glucans could be developed for cost-effective large-scale applications.
  • Published in:Toxins (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental In Vitro Study,
  • Source: PMID: 36977069, DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030177
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