Inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis by phenolic compounds

Authors

S. S. T. Hua, USDA-ARS
K. O. Grosjean, USDA-ARS
J. L. Baker, USDA-ARS

Date of this Version

1999

Citation

Letters in Applied Microbiology 1999, 29, pp. 289–291.

Comments

U.S. government work.

Abstract

The phenolic compounds acetosyringone, syringaldehyde and sinapinic acid inhibited the biosynthesis of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) by A. flavus. Acetosyringone was the most active among the three compounds, inhibiting aflatoxin level by 82% at 2m mol l^-1. The synthesis and accumulation of norsolorinic acid, an aflatoxin biosynthetic intermediate, was also inhibited. These results suggest that at least one step early in the AFB₁ biosynthetic pathway is inhibited by the phenolics.