Inhibition of Aspergillus Parasiticus Growth and Aflatoxins Production by Natural Essential Oils and Phenolic Acids

Aflatoxins represent a significant risk to food safety, and strategies are being implemented to reduce their entry into the food chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of four essential oils (EOs) (lavandins Grosso and Abrial, Origanum virens, and Rosmarinus officinalis) and four natural phenolic acids (PAs) (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, and p-coumaric) on the growth and aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) production by Aspergillus parasiticus. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined by the broth macrodilution method. Additionally, the mycelia weight was determined at concentration levels lower than MIC. The antiaflatoxigenic activity was evaluated in the two concentrations of the EOs right before MIC and at concentrations below the MIC value for the PAs. To this end, in-house validated methodology based on high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column photochemical derivatization and fluorescence detection (HPLC-PHRED-FLD) was used. EOs of O. virens and lavandins (Grosso and Abrial) completely inhibited mold growth. In addition, a significant reduction in mycelial mass (p < 0.05) was observed for all EOs and PAs at different concentrations. In all cases except for lavandin Abrial, EO concentrations just before the MIC value strongly reduced (p < 0.05) aflatoxins synthesis. Aflatoxins production was completely inhibited by all PAs at a concentration of 20 mM; although at low concentrations, mycotoxin production was stimulated in some cases. The present study provides a scientific basis for further study of the inhibiting mechanisms.