ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Ephedra alata as biologically-based strategy inhibit aflatoxigenic seedborne mold
Al-Qarawi, A. A.1, Abd_Allah, E. F.1* and Hashem Abeer2
1Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
2Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Accepted 11 January, 2019
Abstract
Investigation has been carried out to evaluate the effect of range plant Ephedra alata as biologically-based strategy inhibit growth characters and aflatoxin production (in vitro and in vivo) of Aspergillus flavus. The aqueous extract of E. alata had significant inhibitory potential against growth as well as aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic seedborne mold (Aspergillus flavus). Moreover, it has been found that, the addition of 1 and 2% (w/w) of plant powder material of E. alata to corn grains and soybean seeds respectively decreased the aflatoxin contamination and improve their nutritional value (total nitrogen content, fiber content, total lipids content and ash content) under storage conditions. The results observed here suggest employment of E. alata as an alternative non-chemical mean to control aflatoxin contamination of fodder in Saudi Arabia.
Key words: Biocontrol, Aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus, Ephedra alata, nutritional value, Saudi Arabia.