Control of Toxigenic strain, Aspergillus flavus and Mycotoxin by the extracts of Andrographis paniculata in Maize seeds (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize is nutrient rich, staple food of the country, but it is infected with fungal toxins like Mycotoxins. Mycotoxins (Fungal toxins) are broadly divided into two major groups on the basis of mycotoxin producing fungi i.e., those fungi which invade in pre- harvest and post-harvest conditions known as storage fungi. The conditions which promote the growth of mycotoxins are moisture content, high temperature, poor hygienic conditions as well as storage and transportation. Aflatoxins one of the mycotoxins, which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic as well as immunosuppressive, could be produced by certain strains of genus, Aspergillus; such as, A. flavus and A. parasiticus. In this study, we tried to know, to examine the control of toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus from maize seeds (Zea mays L.) through Andrographis paniculata plant extracts for food and health security. Comparing the effect of plant extracts obtained from Andrographis paniculata extracts were capable of inhibit the mycelial growth of A. flavus ranging from 10-100%. The highest and lowest levels of antifungal activity were obtained by using A. paniculata at various concentration viz, 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml, 1.5 ml, 2.0 ml, 2.5 ml. Spore germination, mycelium growth of A. flavus was inhibited (75%) and (100%) of A. paniculata at 2.5 ml concentration. So, the Andrographis paniculata plant extracts might be used as a biological agent to decrease mycelial growth and aflatoxin production especially by A. flavus for protecting maize crops from this toxigenic fungus like Aflatoxins. Therefore, this plant extracts like Andrographis paniculata might be used as a natural preservative against biodegradation and storage contamination caused by A. flavus for food and health security.