Antifungal Activity of Benzoquinones Produced by Tribolium castaneum in Maize-Associated Fungi

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The environmental conditions selected to store food products can be favorable to the development of different biotic degradation agents, such as insects and fungi. The interactions between these two groups of organisms may be multiple, and not restricted to antagonistic relationships. Competition may arise between stored products associated fungi, and insects, as they often thrive for the same food sources. Adults of Tribolium castaneum insects, a major stored food-product pest worldwide, produce benzoquinones, which are released as chemical defenses against other organisms. This study evaluated the effect of these substances on the development of six maize-associated fungal species: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp. The results obtained showed that all the fungi tested are susceptible to the benzoquinones produced by T. castaneum, but the level of sensivity is species specific, with most of the fungi showing a delayed growth. The contact of Penicillium sp. with a mixture of two benzoquinones, produced by T. castaneum, was deadly. Revealing the nature of the relationship between some fungal species and adults of T. castaneum can be a step forward for a better management in the preservation of stored food products. ABSTRACT: Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults produce 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ), and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ). These components are chemical defenses used as repellents and irritants, and BQ has a negative impact on the growth of some fungal species. In this work, the inhibitory and/or lethal effects of these benzoquinones on the development of six fungi identified in maize, namely Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., were evaluated. Ten-day-long disk diffusion trials were performed using benzoquinones. The experiments simulated the activity of BQ (B1) or “EBQ + MBQ” (B2) released by 40-day-old insect adults (n = 200), considering a total average release of 45 µg per adult. Inhibition halos imposed by benzoquinones on fungal growth showed a significant effect when compared with the controls (water and solvent). Mycelial growth was decreased for all fungi, with the level of response depending on the fungal species. B1 and B2 displayed an inhibitory effect against all fungi, but Trichoderma sp. and A. niger showed rapid recoveries. B2 showed a lethal effect on Penicillium sp. The inhibitory and lethal activities of benzoquinones released by T. castaneum adults may contribute to regulate fungal growth, and understanding their interaction is important to develop innovative control strategies.