Microbial Strategies for Mycotoxin Reduction: Endophytic Fungi and Yeast in Aflatoxin B1 and Citrinin Biocontrol

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University,Egypt.

2 Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University,Egypt.

Abstract

The ubiquitous threat of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Citrinin (CIT), potent mycotoxins derived from Aspergillus and Penicillium species, necessitates innovative strategies for food safety. This study aimed to assess fungal contamination in commercially available, slightly damaged canned food products from Egyptian markets. Five Aspergillus species were isolated and tested for their AFB1 and CIT production capabilities. The study then investigated the potential of endophytic fungi isolated from Solanum nigrum and Urtica dioica to mitigate these mycotoxins via their metabolites and binding activities. Alternaria tenuissima (accession number PQ517551) emerged as the most effective endophytic fungal species for mycotoxin reduction; its purified extract (band 2) achieved a 90.17% reduction in CIT and a 21.09% reduction in AFB1. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of this extract revealed 12 bioactive metabolites, including five fatty acids with known anti-mycotoxigenic properties. Concurrently, Meyerozyma guilliermondii (accession number PV660158), the second most effective endophytic isolate, exhibited potent AFB1 binding, achieving reduction rates ranging from 48.56% to 87.42% under influence of cell viability, incubation period and pH of the medium. These findings highlight the potential of specific endophytic fungal strains as effective strategies for mitigating AFB1 and CIT contamination.

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