IMBIV   05474
INSTITUTO MULTIDISCIPLINARIO DE BIOLOGIA VEGETAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Peppermint essential oil as a natural antifungal agent in maize grains
Autor/es:
CAMILETTI, BORIS XAVIER; ASENSIO, CLAUDIA MARIANA; MARTIN, PAULA; GIMENES PECCI, MARÍA DE LA PAZ; LUCINI, ENRIQUE IVAN
Lugar:
Chicago, Illinois
Reunión:
Congreso; Annual meeting and food expo 2015; 2015
Institución organizadora:
Institute of Food Technology
Resumen:
In corn, postharvest contamination with Aspergillusflavus is a critical point that causes quality loss by the presence of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This mycotoxin has been demonstrated to be the most potent liver carcinogen agent. Essentials oils (EOs) are presented as an alternative strategy for funguscontrol that have non-negative impactbecausethey are natural products.The objective of this researchwas to evaluate the antifungal activity of peppermint (Mentha x piperitaL. var. Vulgaris Sole) EOin corn kernels against Aspergillus flavus under two different storage conditions.Essential oil chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. Sterile corn grains were storedin plastic bags and sprayed with EO (2000 and 3000 µg EO/g corn).After 48 hours corn grains were inoculated with 1mL of spore suspensions and stored at 21 and 28 °C. Colony-forming units (CFU) were measured after 4, 8, 11, 15, 19, and 23 days. Theresults were expressed as percentage of growth inhibition (PGI). Statistical analysis was performed on the data(ANOVA and Fisher-LSD test).The main components of peppermint EO were menthol (52.19%), menthone (24.03%), menthofurane (7.04%),and eucalyptol (5.41%). PIGs higher than 85% were observed in both doses during the first 15 days of incubation. After 19 days, 2000 µg/g dose showed less activity (PIG 50%). At the end of incubation (day 23), 2000 µg/g doses did not have antifungal activity (PIG=0%) and 3000 µg/g showed 50% PIGs. There were no statistical differences between storage conditions.Peppermit EO inhibits A.flavus growth in infected corn grains. Practical application Peppermint essential oil is natural product that can be used for food industry as an antifungal agent in postharvest treatment in corn to control A.flavus decreasing negative impact produced for the formation of aflatoxin B1. In addition, this natural product is not toxic for human been and, also, it is not a contaminant compound for the environment.