Browsing by Author "Akash Kedia"

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Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of Cuminum cyminum (L.) seed essential oil and its efficacy as a preservative in stored commodities
(Elsevier B.V., 2014) Akash Kedia; Bhanu Prakash; Prashant K. Mishra; N.K. Dubey
The study reports potential of Cuminum cyminum (cumin) seed essential oil (EO) as a plant based shelf life enhancer against fungal and aflatoxin contamination and lipid peroxidation. The EO showed efficacy as a preservative in food systems (stored wheat and chickpeas). A total of 1230 fungal isolates were obtained from food samples, with Aspergillus flavus LHP(C)-D6 identified as the highest aflatoxin producer. Cumin seed EO was chemically characterized through GC-MS where cymene (47.08%) was found as the major component. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum aflatoxin inhibitory concentration of EO were 0.6 and 0.5μl/ml respectively. The EO showed toxicity against a broad spectrum of food borne fungi. The antifungal action of EO on ergosterol content in the plasma membrane of A. flavus was determined. The EO showed strong antioxidant potential having IC50 0.092μl/ml. As a fumigant in food systems, the EO provided sufficient protection of food samples against fungal association without affecting seed germination. In view of the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic nature, free radical scavenging potential and efficacy in food system, cumin seed EO may be able to provide protection of food commodities against quantitative and qualitative losses, thereby enhancing their shelf life. The present investigation comprises the first report on antifungal mode of action of cumin seed EO and its efficacy as fumigant in food systems. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Antifungal, anti-aflatoxigenic, and antioxidant efficacy of Jamrosa essential oil for preservation of herbal raw materials
(2012) Prashant Kumar Mishra; Ravindra Shukla; Priyanka Singh; Bhanu Prakash; Akash Kedia; Nawal Kishore Dubey
This study reports on fungal deterioration of five herbal raw materials and the antifungal, anti-aflatoxigenic, and antioxidant efficacy of Jamrosa essential oil (EO) and its two major components. Herbal raw materials were found associated with 14 fungal species, including strains of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. Jamrosa EO and its major components Z-citral and linalyl acetate were assessed against the highest aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) producing strain, A. flavus LHPA 9. Jamrosa EO MIC for A. flavus LHPA 9 and the concentration that suppressed aflatoxin B 1 production was 0.4 μl ml -1. This EO was found more efficacious than its major components individually as well as in combination. Z-citral inhibited AFB 1 completely at 1.0 μl ml -1 while linalyl acetate did so at 0.7 μl ml -1. The combination of both the compounds completely inhibited AFB 1 production at 0.8 μl ml -1. Free radical scavenging activities (IC 50) of EO, Z-citral, linalyl acetate, and a combination of both compounds were 86 μl ml -1, 94 μl ml -1, 217 μl ml -1, and 158 μl ml -1, respectively. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and insecticidal efficacy of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil
(2014) Akash Kedia; Bhanu Prakash; Prashant Kumar Mishra; C.S. Chanotiya; Nawal Kishore Dubey
This study reports on the chemically characterized essential oil (EO) from Mentha spicata L. which was tested as a plant-based pesticide in because it showed efficacy against food-deteriorating molds, aflatoxin production, lipid peroxidation, and the insect pest Callosobruchus chinensis. The chemical characterization of this EO through GC/GC-MS analysis depicted 13 compounds comprising 97.09% of the EO, carvone being the major component (59.6%). The EO significantly inhibited growth and aflatoxin B1 production by the toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus [LHP(C)-D6] at 1.0 and 0.9μl ml-1levels, respectively. The EO also had a broad fungitoxic effect against 19 food-deteriorating molds. The oil caused 100% mortality to C.chinensis during a fumigation test with an LC50 value of 0.003μlml-1 air after 24h of treatment and 100% repellency at 0.025μlml-1 air concentration. The EO of M.spicata at 0.1μlml-1 air concentration was recorded as the effective fumigant, showing 98.46% oviposition deterrency, 100% ovicidal activity, 88.84% larvicidal activity, 72.91% pupaecidal activity, and 100% antifeedant activity against C.chinensis. The phytotoxicity assay showed 100% germination of EO-treated chickpea seeds. The EO had a low mammalian toxicity with an LD50 of 8342.33μlkg-1 for oral toxicity on mice. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of EO was 18.55μlml-1 during a DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. © 2014.
Antifungal, Antiaflatoxin and Antioxidant Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Their In Vivo Efficacy in Protection of Chickpea Seeds
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2016) Bhanu Prakash; Akash Kedia; Aakanksha Singh; Shashi Yadav; Arti Singh; Amrita Yadav; Deepika; Nawal Kishore Dubey
This study presents the efficacy of six essential oils (EOs), viz. Carum carvi, Myristica fragrans, Melaleuca leucadendra, Cinnamomum camphora, Pelargonium odoratissimum and Cymbopogon citratus, as food preservatives based on antifungal, antiaflatoxin and antioxidant activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of EOs against aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (LHP-10) and 13 other storage molds ranged between 1.25 and 6.0μL/mL, while aflatoxin inhibition was observed at 1.0-5.0μL/mL. EOs also exhibited free-radical scavenging activity through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) assay as IC50 value ranged between 3.96 and 96.63μL/mL. The antifungal action of EOs was observed in terms of reduction in ergosterol content of the plasma membrane of A.flavus. The EOs provided >50% protection of chickpea samples against fungal association without affecting their germination during in vivo testing in storage containers. Based on antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant potential and in vivo efficacy, the tested EOs may be recommended as plant-based food preservatives. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antifungal, antiaflatoxin and antioxidant potential of chemically characterized Boswellia carterii Birdw essential oil and its invivo practical applicability in preservation of Piper nigrum L. fruits
(Academic Press, 2014) Bhanu Prakash; Prashant Kumar Mishra; Akash Kedia; N.K. Dubey
The study explores the chemical profile, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Boswellia carterii essential oil (EO). The EO significantly inhibited growth and aflatoxin production by the food borne toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus at 1.75μl/ml and 1.25μl/ml respectively. It exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against 12 food borne moulds and also showed strong antioxidant activity, IC50 value and % inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation being 0.64μl/ml and 51.68% respectively. The antifungal action of EO was observed in terms of reduction in ergosterol content of plasma membrane of A.flavus. As fumigant in food system in storage containers, the EO provided 65.38% protection against fungal deterioration of Piper nigrum. GC-MS results revealed 31 components of EO. The chemically characterized B. carterii EO may thus be recommended as plant based preservative in view of its antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant activity and efficacy in food system. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Assessing essential oil components as plant-based preservatives against fungi that deteriorate herbal raw materials
(2013) Prashant Kumar Mishra; Priyanka Singh; Bhanu Prakash; Akash Kedia; Nawal Kishore Dubey; C.S. Chanotiya
This study assesses the antifungal efficacy of 14 essential oil (EO) components and some of their combinations as inhibitory to the growth of the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus LHPA9 isolated from biodeteriorating Asparagus racemosus herbal raw materials. The aim was to determine whether they could be recommended as plant-based preservatives for enhancement of the shelf life of herbal raw materials. Thymol, eugenol, menthol, and their combinations were highly efficacious as their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for inhibition of fungal growth as well as aflatoxin B1 secretion was less than 1.0 μl ml-1. Geranyl acetate, linalool, β-asarone, 1, 8-cineol, and E-citral were moderately antifungal as their MIC ranged between 1.0 and 5.0 μl ml-1. During antioxidant activity 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, thymol, eugenol, and β-caryophyllene showed strong radical scavenging activity, whereas β-asarone and p-cymene showed moderate activity. Some combinations of EO components showed synergism while others exhibited an additive or antagonism effect in their activity. The findings point to a recommendation that EO components are good alternatives to synthetic preservatives to prevent deterioration of stored herbal raw materials by fungal and aflatoxin contamination and free-radical oxidation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Assessment of chemically characterised Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil and its major compounds as plant-based preservative in food system based on their efficacy against food-borne moulds and aflatoxin secretion and as antioxidant
(2015) Bhanu Prakash; Akash Kedia; Prashant K. Mishra; Abhishek K. Dwivedy; Nawal K. Dubey
The study explores antifungal, anti-aflatoxigenic and antioxidant efficacy of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (ROEO) and its major compounds. In addition, the mode of action of ROEO and its practical efficacy as preservative have been assessed. GC-MS analysis of ROEO identified 16 compounds; α-pinene, 1,8-cineole and camphor being the major compounds. The minimum concentration for inhibition of growth and aflatoxin B1 secretion against A. flavus (LHP-6) was found to be 1.5, >5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 μL mL-1 and 1.25, >5.0, 3.5 and 3.0 μL mL-1 for ROEO, α-pinene, 1,8-cineole and camphor, respectively. The IC50 value through DPPH analysis and percentage inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation of ROEO were 0.042 μL mL-1 and 71.05%, respectively. The targeted site of antifungal action of ROEO was confirmed as plasma membrane through ergosterol measurement and TEM analysis. Moreover, ROEO significantly protected Piper nigrum fruits against mould infestation upto 6 months in in vivo trial. © 2015 Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Assessment of some essential oils as food preservatives based on antifungal, antiaflatoxin, antioxidant activities and in vivo efficacy in food system
(2012) Bhanu Prakash; Priyanka Singh; Akash Kedia; N.K. Dubey
The present study strengthens the food preservative potential of plant essential oils (EOs) viz. Origanum majorana L., Coriandrum sativum L., Hedychium spicatum Ham. ex Smith, Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl., and Cananga odorata Hook.f. & Thomson based on their antifungal, antiaflatoxin, and antioxidant efficacy. The essential oils were found more efficacious than some prevalent organic preservatives viz. salicylic acid, BHT, ascorbic acid and gallic acid as they inhibited the growth and aflatoxin secretion of the aflatoxigenic strain Aspergillus flavus (LHP-6) at lower concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration of EOs against the toxigenic strain of A. flavus ranged between 2.0μl/ml and 3.0μl/ml. In addition, the EOs exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against nine food borne molds and strong antioxidant activity. The IC 50 value of the oils ranged between 1.3 and 21.67μl/ml while their total phenolic content ranged between 2.90 and 33.33μg/mg. All the EOs except C. odorata showed non-phytotoxic nature on germination of chickpea seeds. During in vivo investigations in food system all the five essential oils showed above 50% protection of chickpea seed from A. flavus infestation showing their potential as plant based preservatives for enhancement of shelf life of food items. © 2012 .
Biological activities of Cuminum cyminum seed oil and its major components against Callosobruchus chinensis and Sitophilus oryzae
(Elsevier, 2015) Akash Kedia; Bhanu Prakash; Prashant Kumar Mishra; Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The study reports the fumigant, repellent, oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, larvicidal and pupaecidal activities of Cuminum cyminum seed essential oil and its 4 main components (cymene, γ-terpinene, cuminaldehyde and (-)-β-pinene) against Callosobruchus chinensis and Sitophilus oryzae. The essential oil, γ-terpinene and (-)-β-pinene showed pronounced activity in all parameters against both the insects. However, the susceptibility of C. chinensis was much higher than S. oryzae. Cymene and cuminaldehyde showed poor mortality to insects but caused moderate repellency and oviposition deterrency at 100. μl/L air. The essential oil when tested for practical application in protection of food commodities from insect infestation in storage containers, exhibited 100% and 97% feeding deterrent index at 100. μl/L air concentration against C. chinensis and S. oryzae damage respectively without affecting viability of chickpea and wheat. C. cyminum seed essential oil may thus be recommended as eco-friendly and biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides for management of insect infestation of food commodities. cyminum essential oil cyminum essential oil as plant based pesticide. © 2015 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society.
Botanicals as eco friendly biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides against Callosobruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)—a review
(Springer, 2015) Akash Kedia; Bhanu Prakash; Prashant Kumar Mishra; Priyanka Singh; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The article presents the potential of botanicals in the management of Callosobruchus spp., the primary insect pest causing deterioration to a variety of stored legume grains. Different botanical formulations have been reported time to time showing pronounced insecticidal activity, repellence to pest, oviposition deterrency, adult emergence inhibition, ovicidal, larvicidal, pupaecidal activity and feeding deterrency based on their contact toxicity and fumigation effects. Some of the botanicals have also been practically proved efficacious to protect the stored food commodities from the bruchids during storage conditions. Such botanical formulations have shown their promise in integrated management of the pest as semiochemicals by showing behaviour altering efficacy against the bruchids, thereby, reducing the induced pest resistance problem which is frequently reported with synthetic pesticides. Hence, they may be recommended in food security programmes as eco-friendly and biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides providing integrated management of the losses of stored food commodities due to infestation of bruchids. © 2013, Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India).
Efficacy of Caesulia axillaris, Cymbopogon khasans and Cymbopogon martinii essential oils as plant based preservatives against degradation of raw materials of Andrographis paniculata by fungal spoilage
(Elsevier Ltd, 2015) Prashant Kumar Mishra; Bhanu Prakash; Akash Kedia; Abhishek K. Dwivedy; Nawal Kishore Dubey; Sayeed Ahmad
The study reports the qualitative degradation of raw materials of Andrographis paniculata during storage due to fungal and aflatoxin contamination and its control by essential oils (EOs) of Caesulia axillaris, Cymbopogon khasans and Cymbopogon martinii. The finger print profile of the herbal raw materials through high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the significant degradation of andrographolide content (the major active component) due to fungal and aflatoxin contamination. The three EOs showed potent preservative effects during fumigation in storage containers providing 71.93%, 93.86% and 88.60% protection of herbal raw materials respectively from fungal contamination. The EOs were found to control the degradation of the active component of A.paniculata as well as reduce aflatoxin produced by toxigenic Aspergillus flavus. The EOs may increase the shelf life of raw materials of A.paniculata by controlling fungal and aflatoxin contamination as well as active component degradation during post harvest storage. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Efficacy of essential oil combination of curcuma longa l. and zingiber officinale rosc. As a postharvest fungitoxicant, aflatoxin inhibitor and antioxidant agent
(2012) Bhanu Prakash; Priyanka Singh; Akash Kedia; Aradhana Singh; N.K. Dubey
Keeping in view of the harmful effects of molds and their toxic metabolites, particularly aflatoxins on food items, the present study explores the efficacy of essential oil (EO) combination of Curcuma longa L. and Zingiber officinale Rosc. as a plant-based preservative in view of its broad fungitoxic spectrum against storage fungi, aflatoxin inhibitory efficacy, antioxidant properties and nonphytotoxicity. The EO combination significantly inhibited the growth and aflatoxin production by the toxigenic foodborne strain of Aspergillus flavus LHP-6 at 2.5 and 2.0μL/mL, respectively. The combination also showed strong antioxidant activity through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil free radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching and total phenolic content assay. The EO combination exhibited nonphytotoxic nature during the seed germination and seedling growth experiments with chickpea seeds. The EO combination of C.longa and Z.officinale may successfully overcome the problem of mold contamination as well as oxidative deterioration of stored agricultural food commodities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy of Mentha spicata essential oil in suppression of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in chickpea with particular emphasis to mode of antifungal action
(Springer-Verlag Wien, 2016) Akash Kedia; Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy; Dhruva Kumar Jha; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The present study reports in vivo antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of Mentha spicata essential oil (EO) against toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain LHP(C)-D6 in chickpea food system up to 12 months of storage. In addition, the mode of antifungal action of EO was also determined to understand the mechanism of fungal growth inhibition. The in vivo study with different concentrations of M. spicata EO showed dose-dependent decrease in fungal colony count as well as aflatoxin B1 concentration. The EO caused >50 % protection in inoculated sets and >70 % protection in uninoculated sets of chickpea food system against A. flavus at 1.0 μL mL−1 air concentration. However, at the same concentration, EO caused 100 % inhibition to aflatoxin B1 production in both sets when analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antifungal target of EO in fumigated cells of A. flavus was found to be the plasma membrane when analyzed through electron microscopic observations and ions leakage test. The EO fumigated chickpea seeds showed 100 % seed germination and seedling growth after 12 months of storage. Based on these observations, M. spicata EO can be recommended as plant-based preservative for safe protection of food commodities during storage conditions against fungal and most importantly mycotoxin contaminations. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Wien.
Efficacy of Some Essential Oil Components as Food Preservatives Against Food Contaminating Molds, Aflatoxin B1 Production and Free Radical Generation
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2015) Bhanu Prakash; Prashant Kumar Mishra; Akash Kedia; Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy; N.K. Dubey
This study explores the efficacy of essential oil components, viz. Z-citral, E-citral, methyl cinnamate and fenchone individually and in combination (1:1:1:1), against food contaminating molds, aflatoxin B1 production and as antioxidant. The oil components (except fenchone) and their combination inhibited the aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (LHP-10) and 13 additional food-infesting molds at minimum inhibitory concentration ranging between 0.50 and 5.25μL/mL while aflatoxin production inhibited between 0.6 and 2.50μL/mL. Methyl cinnamate showed the highest antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic activity followed by the combination, Z-citral, E-citral and fenchone. The oil components exhibited synergistic action during antioxidant activity as the oil combination was substantially superior (IC50 value 5.89μL/mL) to the sum of the individual antioxidant effects. The antifungal mechanism of action of components and their combination was studied by measuring the ergosterol content in the plasma membrane of mold species. During in vivo experiments in storage containers, the oil combination provided >50% protection of chickpea samples against fungal infestation up to 6 months of storage without affecting their viability. Practical Applications: Based on the results of the present investigation, some essential oil components and their combination may be recommended as plant-based preservatives in view of their antifungal activity against food-infesting molds, aflatoxin secretion and as antioxidant. The efficacy of the components in protecting the fungal contamination of chickpea samples during storage condition without affecting their viability strengthens their formulation for practical application. The study recommends some essential oil components to food and agri-industries as safer alternatives of synthetic preservatives in view of their adverse effects on consumer's health and environment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Essential Oil Nanoemulsion as Eco-Friendly and Safe Preservative: Bioefficacy Against Microbial Food Deterioration and Toxin Secretion, Mode of Action, and Future Opportunities
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021) Akash Maurya; Vipin Kumar Singh; Somenath Das; Jitendra Prasad; Akash Kedia; Neha Upadhyay; Nawal Kishore Dubey; Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy
Microbes are the biggest shareholder for the quantitative and qualitative deterioration of food commodities at different stages of production, transportation, and storage, along with the secretion of toxic secondary metabolites. Indiscriminate application of synthetic preservatives may develop resistance in microbial strains and associated complications in human health with broad-spectrum environmental non-sustainability. The application of essential oils (EOs) as a natural antimicrobial and their efficacy for the preservation of foods has been of present interest and growing consumer demand in the current generation. However, the loss in bioactivity of EOs from fluctuating environmental conditions is a major limitation during their practical application, which could be overcome by encapsulating them in a suitable biodegradable and biocompatible polymer matrix with enhancement to their efficacy and stability. Among different nanoencapsulated systems, nanoemulsions effectively contribute to the practical applications of EOs by expanding their dispersibility and foster their controlled delivery in food systems. In line with the above background, this review aims to present the practical application of nanoemulsions (a) by addressing their direct and indirect (EO nanoemulsion coating leading to active packaging) consistent support in a real food system, (b) biochemical actions related to antimicrobial mechanisms, (c) effectiveness of nanoemulsion as bio-nanosensor with large scale practical applicability, (d) critical evaluation of toxicity, safety, and regulatory issues, and (e) market demand of nanoemulsion in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals along with the current challenges and future opportunities. Copyright © 2021 Maurya, Singh, Das, Prasad, Kedia, Upadhyay, Dubey and Dwivedy.
Essential oils and their bioactive compounds as eco-friendly novel green pesticides for management of storage insect pests: prospects and retrospects
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2021) Anand Kumar Chaudhari; Vipin Kumar Singh; Akash Kedia; Somenath Das; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The control of storage insect pests is largely based on synthetic pesticides. However, due to fast growing resistance in the targeted insects, negative impact on humans and non-target organisms as well as the environment, there is an urgent need to search some safer alternatives of these xenobiotics. Many essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive compounds have received particular attention for application as botanical pesticides, since they exhibited high insecticidal efficacy, diverse mode of action, and favourable safety profiles on mammalian system as well as to the non-target organisms. Data collected from scientific articles show that these EOs and their bioactive compounds exhibited insecticidal activity via fumigant, contact, repellent, antifeedant, ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and larvicidal activity, and by inhibiting/altering important neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and octopamine or neurotransmitter inhibitor γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), as well as by altering the enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidases (POx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR)] and non-enzymatic [glutathione (GSH)] antioxidant defence systems. However, in spite of promising pesticidal efficacy against storage pests, the practical application of EOs and their bioactive compounds in real food systems remain rather limited because of their high volatility, poor water solubility and susceptibility towards degradation. Nanoencapsulation/nanoemulsion of EOs is currently considered as a promising tool that improved water solubility, enhanced bio-efficacy, stability and controlled release, thereby expanding their applicability. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.
Essential oils of traditionally used aromatic plants as green shelf-life enhancers for herbal raw materials from microbial contamination and oxidative deterioration
(Indian Academy of Sciences, 2016) Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy; Akash Kedia; Manoj Kumar; N.K. Dubey
This commentary deals with recommendation of essential oils of selected traditionally used aromatic plants as shelf life enhancer of herbal raw materials in view of their efficacy to protect them from microbial and mycotoxin contaminations and oxidative deteriorations during post-harvest processing. Such documentation of pharmacological efficacy of traditionally used aromatic plants would be also helpful in bioprospection of plant diversity against the act of biopiracy.
Fungal and mycotoxin contamination of herbal raw materials and prospects of higher plant products as plant-based preservatives during post-harvest processing
(Springer India, 2014) Nawal Kishore Dubey; Prashant Kumar Mishra; Akash Kedia; Bhanu Prakash
Herbal drugs have been used since ancient times for prevention and treatment of diseases as well as to promote health and healing. Generally, herbal drugs are considered to be free from side effects but the poor practices of their harvesting, collection, transportation and storage often lead to extensive fungal growth and accumulation of mycotoxins. Fungal and mycotoxin contaminations are the major cause of decline of market value of herbal drug raw materials. Such contamination degrades the quality of raw materials and the medicinal value of the formulated herbal drugs. Synthetic chemical preservatives have been prescribed to control different post-harvest fungal contaminations but due to their residual and mammalian toxicities, herbal pharmaceutical industries need some safer chemicals as preservatives during post-harvest processing of herbal raw materials. Currently, several plant-derived chemicals and their formulations are practically used on a large scale as antimicrobials and are recognized as safer alternatives of synthetic chemicals. Among the higher plant products, plant essential oils, being volatile in nature, may be recommended as botanical fumigants to minimize fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination of herbal drug raw materials. The present chapter deals with an account of fungal and mycotoxin contamination of herbal raw materials and the prospective of plant-derived chemicals as preservatives during post-harvest processing of herbal raw materials. © Springer India 2014 This work is subject. All rights reserved.
Fungal contamination of stony endocarp (Rudraksha) of Elaeocarpus spp. from three different countries
(National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), 2014) Akash Kedia; Dmitry S. Ivanov; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The study deals with fungal contamination of stony endocarp (Rudraksha) of Elaeocarpus spp. collected from India, Nepal and Indonesia. For mycological analysis, the agar test method including surface sterilized and non surface sterilized samples were used. Eight species belonging to four different genera of fungi were isolated. The genera isolated were Aspergillus (four species), Penicillium (two species), Alternaria (one species) and Rhizopus (one species). The study emphasizes that fungal contamination would deteriorate the quality of stony endocarp (Rudraksha) of Elaeocarpus spp. and also affect its marketing. This is the first record of mycoflora study from stony endocarp (Rudraksha) of Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum. from India and Nepal and E. ganitrus Roxb. from Indonesia.
Mycoflora and Aflatoxin Analysis of Arachis hypogaea L. and Assessment of Anethum graveolens L. Seed and Leaf Essential Oils against Isolated Fungi, Aflatoxin Production and their Antioxidant Activity
(2012) Bhanu Prakash; Priyanka Singh; Akash Kedia; Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy; Anita Singh; Nawal Kishore Dubey
The present investigation reports the extent of fungal contamination in stored samples of Arachis hypogaea and efficacy of seed and leaf essential oils (EOs) of Anethum graveolens against isolated fungi, aflatoxin production and their antioxidant efficacy. Twelve fungal species were found associated with A. hypogaea along with toxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus. The minimum concentrations for inhibition of growth of toxigenic strain of A. flavus (LHPFah-6) and aflatoxin production were found to be 1.25 and 1.0μL/mL for seed oil and 7.0 and 6.0μL/mL for leaf oil. The EOs exhibited broad antifungal spectrum. The seed and leaf EOs also exhibited free radical-scavenging activity having IC50 value 12.4 and 24.3μL/mL, respectively. In addition, the EOs showed nonphytotoxic nature on radicle growth of A. hypogaea. The study recommends A. graveolens seed EO as a potent antifungal, aflatoxin inhibitor and free radical-neutralizing agent to enhance shelf life of food items. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.