Akash Kedia

Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of Cuminum cyminum (L.) seed essential oil and its efficacy as a preservative in stored commodities.

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 0.5 μl/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 0.092 μl/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.

Botanicals as eco friendly biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides against Callosobruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)—a review

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.

Chemically characterized Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. essential oil for shelf life enhancer of herbal raw materials based on antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant activity, and favorable safety profile

The study reports antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of chemically characterized Cymbopogon martinii essential oil (CMEO) against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus causing infestation to stored herbal raw materials. In addition, the antioxidant activity and safety profile of CMEO were also assessed to recommend it as ideal preservative for stored herbal raw materials. The GC–MS of CMEO showed nerol as the major component (79.91%). CMEO inhibited growth and aflatoxin secretion of A. flavus LHPA9 at 0.5 and 0.4 μl/ml respectively, showing better efficacy over synthetic antimicrobial Propineb 70. It also exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against fungi causing postharvest deterioration of herbal raw materials. The TEM analysis of CMEO-treated fungal cells showed disruption of plasma-membrane and deformed cell organelles. The EO also caused inhibition of ergosterol content emphasizing plasma membrane as active site during antimicrobial action. CMEO also exhibited pronounced antioxidant activity (IC50 = 49 μl/ml) better than nerol, the major component of CMEO. The LD50 of CMEO, determined through oral administration on mice, was calculated as 2569.16 mg/kg body weight indicating its favorable safety profile as preservative. CMEO may thus be recommended as postharvest preservative in enhancement of shelf life of herbal raw materials against storage fungi, mycotoxins, and oxidative deterioration.

Assessment of chemically characterised Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. seed essential oil as shelf life enhancer of herbal raw materials based on antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant efficacy

Abstract The study reports fungal biodeterioration of herbal raw materials of Adhatoda vasica Nees and Withania somnifera Dunal and assessment of Abelmoschus moschatus Medik seed essential oil (AMEO) as antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and antioxidant. Seven fungal species belonging to three genera were isolated from Adhatoda vasica leaves and Withania somnifera roots. The minimum inhibitory, fungicidal, and aflatoxin inhibitory concentrations of AMEO were found to be 1750, 5000, and 1250 ppm, respectively, against A. flavus LHP-WS-1, isolated from W. somnifera. The effect of AMEO over ergosterol content in the plasma membrane was assessed to test the mode of action on A. flavus. AMEO also exhibited broad fungitoxicity at its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and strong antioxidant property through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis having IC50 value equal to 0.325 μL/mL. In view of strong antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and antioxidant activity, the AMEO may be recommended as botanical preservative for herbal raw materials in order to enhance their shelf life and to maintain their quality.

Efficacy of chemically characterized Foeniculum vulgare Mill seed essential oil in protection of raw tobacco leaves during storage against fungal and aflatoxin contamination

To report fungal and aflatoxin contamination in stored tobacco leaves and the potential of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed essential oil (EO) as a plant‐based preservative in protection of tobacco during storage.

Nanoencapsulation of Essential Oils: A Possible Way for an Eco-Friendly Strategy to Control Postharvest Spoilage of Food Commodities From Pests

Abstract This chapter discusses the application of nanotechnology to develop plant essential oil (EO)-based systems to accomplish eco-friendly means for controlling pests causing spoilage of food items during postharvest storage. The various types of techniques to formulate EO-loaded microcapsules are described, together with different carrier systems and their potential uses. The advantages and disadvantages offered by each technique and carrier system are presented to facilitate selection of the appropriate nanoencapsulation method according to a particular demand. Furthermore, the characterization of EO-loaded microcapsules that must be examined before large-scale implementation to food and agriculture industries has been discussed. The use of EO-based microcapsules offers advantages such as minimum reactivity with environmental factors, decreased evaporation rate, enhanced handling ability, uniform distribution of EO with very small amounts, and safe delivery at the right time, while reducing environmental damage and negative impacts on human health.

Fungal and Mycotoxin Contamination of Herbal Raw Materials and Prospects of Higher Plant Products as Plant-Based Preservatives During Post-Harvest Processing

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.