Synergistic Effect of Clove & Cinnamon against Aspergillus flavus in Georgia peanuts
Disciplines
Biology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Aspergillus flavus poses significant economic and health risks in peanuts due to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination. This study examines the synergistic effects of Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils (EOs) as natural antifungal agents to control A. flavus growth and reduce AFB1. A strain of A. flavus was isolated from peanuts, subcultured on Potato Dextrose and Rose Bengal agar medium, autoclaved for 15 minutes and incubated at 25°C for 6 days allowing growth. A treatment plan was developed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of A. flavus against various concentrations of these oils. Master Cultures were prepared at specific concentrations ranging from 500 to 2500 ppm for both oils and for the controls. A.
flavus sample was exposed to EO concentrations by micropipetting the oils directly onto the center of the fungal growth. Untreated samples were used as + & - controls.
The effectiveness of each oil was evaluated by measuring fungal colony diameter. In addition, synergistic effects of both EOs were similarly tested. The AFB1 in all treated and untreated samples of A. flavus were quantified using the Vanquish™ MD system, with further analysis by LC-MS on the Orbitrap Exploris™ 240. The R² value of each experiment was calculated to determine the most effective treatment for inhibiting fungal growth. Both EOs exhibited antifungal properties, with Clove being more effective at lower concentrations. The combination of Clove and Cinnamon EOs showed enhanced inhibition, especially at 2500 ppm. AFB1 contamination decreased with increasing EO concentrations, particularly when both oils were combined, with significant reduction in AFB1 levels observed at 250ppm and 2000ppm. Our findings provide evidence of potential use of both Clove & Cinnamon against A. flavus in Georgia peanuts as an eco-friendly biological control agent as an alternate to synthetic fungicides in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Premila N. Achar
Synergistic Effect of Clove & Cinnamon against Aspergillus flavus in Georgia peanuts
Aspergillus flavus poses significant economic and health risks in peanuts due to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination. This study examines the synergistic effects of Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils (EOs) as natural antifungal agents to control A. flavus growth and reduce AFB1. A strain of A. flavus was isolated from peanuts, subcultured on Potato Dextrose and Rose Bengal agar medium, autoclaved for 15 minutes and incubated at 25°C for 6 days allowing growth. A treatment plan was developed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of A. flavus against various concentrations of these oils. Master Cultures were prepared at specific concentrations ranging from 500 to 2500 ppm for both oils and for the controls. A.
flavus sample was exposed to EO concentrations by micropipetting the oils directly onto the center of the fungal growth. Untreated samples were used as + & - controls.
The effectiveness of each oil was evaluated by measuring fungal colony diameter. In addition, synergistic effects of both EOs were similarly tested. The AFB1 in all treated and untreated samples of A. flavus were quantified using the Vanquish™ MD system, with further analysis by LC-MS on the Orbitrap Exploris™ 240. The R² value of each experiment was calculated to determine the most effective treatment for inhibiting fungal growth. Both EOs exhibited antifungal properties, with Clove being more effective at lower concentrations. The combination of Clove and Cinnamon EOs showed enhanced inhibition, especially at 2500 ppm. AFB1 contamination decreased with increasing EO concentrations, particularly when both oils were combined, with significant reduction in AFB1 levels observed at 250ppm and 2000ppm. Our findings provide evidence of potential use of both Clove & Cinnamon against A. flavus in Georgia peanuts as an eco-friendly biological control agent as an alternate to synthetic fungicides in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.