Mechanistic investigations on antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of chemically characterised Carum carvi L. essential oil against fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination of herbal raw materials

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of chemically characterised Carum carvi essential oil (CcEO) against aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) producing strain of Aspergillus flavus (AF-LHP-WS-4) causing deterioration of herbal raw materials (HRM). GC-MS analysis of the EO revealed the presence of carvone (69.85%) as a dominant component. CcEO caused complete suppression of A. flavus growth and AFB₁ secretion at 0.7 and 0.6 µL/mL, respectively. The investigation on antifungal mode of action showed that CcEO inhibited fungal growth via abrogating ergosterol biosynthesis and triggered efflux of vital cellular ions. The inhibition of AFB₁ biosynthesis was attributed to the inhibition of cellular methylglyoxal (MG) biosynthesis. In addition, CcEO showed remarkable antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 10.564 µL/mL) against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals. Based on overall results, it can be concluded that the CcEO may be recommended as potential antifungal agent for protection of HRM from fungal infestation and AFB₁ contamination.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Carum carvi essential oil
• aflatoxin B₁
• methylglyoxal
• herbal raw materials
• safety profile

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to the Head, Centre of Advance Study (CAS), in Botany, DST-PURSE, DST-FIST, ISLS and Institute of Eminence (IoE) Cell, Banaras Hindu University for providing laboratory facilities.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Akash Maurya and Susheel Kumar are thankful to the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) [Project code: P 21/14], Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, India for financial assistance.