Dillapiol was isolated from the essential oil of dill as a specific inhibitor of aflatoxin G1 production. It inhibited aflatoxin G1 production by Aspergillus parasiticus with an IC50 value of 0.15 microM without inhibiting aflatoxin B1 production or fungal growth. Apiol and myristicin, congeners of dillapiol, showed similar activity with IC50 values of 0.24 and 3.5 microM, respectively.

Aflatoxin contamination of corn is an important problem internationally, particularly in tropical and subtropical conditions that favor infection and synthesis by Aspergillus. Environmental conditions (drought) and agronomic practices i.e. N fertilization have been reported as favorable to aflatoxin synthesis in the field. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the contamination of co...

The effect of corn and peanut cultivation on the proportion of Aspergillus flavus to A. parasiticus in soil was examined. Soil populations were monitored in three fields during three different years in southwestern Georgia. Each field was planted in both peanuts and corn, and soil was sampled within plots for each crop. A. flavus and A. parasiticus were present in similar proportions in plots f...

Aflatoxins, the most toxic and carcinogenic family of fungal secondary metabolites, are frequent contaminants of foods intended for human consumption. Previous studies showed that formation of G-group aflatoxins (AFs) from O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) by certain Aspergillus species involves oxidation by the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, OrdA (AflQ) and CypA (AflU). However, some of the ste...

The genus Aspergillus is one of the most important filamentous fungal genera. Aspergillus species are used in the fermentation industry, but they are also responsible of various plant and food secondary rot, with the consequence of possible accumulation of mycotoxins. The aflatoxin producing A. flavus and A. parasiticus, and ochratoxinogenic A. niger, A. ochraceus and A. carbonarius species are...

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Several types of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) are produced by these fungi. The B1 form is recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as one of the most toxic and carcinogenic substances found in nature. 1 These aflatoxin-producing fungi can contaminat...