Nanoencapsulated methyl salicylate as a biorational alternative of synthetic antifungal and aflatoxin B1 suppressive agents

Kujur, Anupam; Yadav, Amrita; Kumar, Akshay; Singh, Prem Pratap; Prakash, Bhanu

Nanoencapsulated methyl salicylate as a biorational alternative of synthetic antifungal and aflatoxin B1 suppressive agents

2019

Kujur, Anupam | Yadav, Amrita | Kumar, Akshay | Singh, Prem Pratap | Prakash, Bhanu

In view of the suspected negative impact of synthetic fungicides to the human health, nutritional quality, and non-targeted organisms, the use of plant-based antifungal agents has gained considerable interest to the agri-food industries. The aim of this study was to explore the antifungal and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) inhibitory activity of chitosan (low molecular weight) encapsulated methyl salicylate. The nanoencapsulation of methyl salicylate (Ne-MS) has been characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of Ne-MS ranged between 32–34% and 5–7% respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Ne-MS (1.00 μL/mL) against the growth and aflatoxin B₁ production by Aspergillus flavus was found to be lower than the free MS (1.50 μL/mL). Mode of action studies demonstrated that the Ne-MS cause a significant decrease in the ergosterol content, leakage of vital ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺), utilization of different carbon source by the A. flavus. Further, the docking result showed ver1 and omt A gene of AFB₁ biosynthesis are the possible molecular site of action of methyl salicylate. The in situ study revealed that Ne-MS had no significant negative impact on the organoleptic properties of the food system (maize) which strengthen its potential as a biorational alternative of synthetic fungicides.

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