THE EFFICACY OF CLOVE OIL AGAINST ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS AND AFLATOXINS B1(AFB1) PRODUCTION IN GEORGIA PEANUTS

Authors

Ari J. Schwartz, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144Follow
Alison Md, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144Follow
Mohammad A. Halim, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144Follow
Premila N. Achar, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144Follow

Abstract

In Georgia, peanut contamination by Aspergillus spp. causes $25 million loss annually. Aspergillus flavus produces AFB1, a carcinogenic substance affecting humans globally. Recently, there has been considerable interest in biological control against mold. Achar et al. (2020) established that Clove oil reduces AFB1 in peanuts, Variety Tifguard. We now evaluate the effectiveness of Clove oil (EO) in reducing AFB1 in peanuts. AFB1 was first quantified in mycelium and spores using selected ion monitoring (SIM) based liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry method with standard AFB1. Thermo Scientific Vanquish Flex HPLC coupled with Orbitrap Exploris 240 Mass Spectrometer were used for the SIM based LCMS experiments. 100 seeds, GA Greener were then artificially inoculated with 10^6 spores/mL in a flask and incubated for 8 days at 28°C. Seeds were exposed to Clove EO by placing 15 treated seeds/ flask containing 0 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, and 2000 ppm, respectively. Flasks were sealed with parafilm and placed in a shaker incubator at 28°C; 180 rpm for 6 days. Seeds were then plated (5/plate) with moist filter paper and incubated for 8 days at 28°C. Tween 20 served as control. Seeds were air-dried, grinded using a mortar and pestle, quenched in liquid nitrogen, and centrifuged with methanol for AFB1 quantification. The supernatant was vacuum centrifuged and resuspended in 0.1% formic acid for SIM-LCMS experiments. The findings demonstrated that high concentration of Clove EO significantly reduced AFB1in infected peanuts. Surprisingly, the high reduction of AFB1 production was noticed between 0 and 500 ppm of Clove EO, and the reduction slightly increased with higher concentrations, 1000 and 2000 ppm. This demonstrates that Clove oil is most effective at low concentrations at reducing AFB1 in infected peanuts. Future studies will focus on AFB1 production in contaminated peanut seeds exposed to Clove EO in Vivo.

Recommended Citation

Schwartz, Ari J.; Md, Alison; Halim, Mohammad A.; and Achar, Premila N. (2024) "THE EFFICACY OF CLOVE OIL AGAINST ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS AND AFLATOXINS B1(AFB1) PRODUCTION IN GEORGIA PEANUTS," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 82, No. 1, Article 23.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol82/iss1/23