Antiaflatoxigenic activity of eugenol is due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation

Eugenol inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 in a dose-dependent manner up to a concentration of 0.75 mmol l-1 without inhibiting growth. When the mould was grown for 3 d in the presence of 0.45 mmol l-1 eugenol (concentration inhibiting aflatoxin production by 50%), in vivo activities of components of polysubstrate monooxygenase were decreased at idiophase, concomitant with decreased activities of enzymes involved in free radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and maintenance of redox potential. These results indicate that antiaflatoxigenic actions of eugenol may be related to inhibition of the ternary steps of aflatoxin biosynthesis involving lipid peroxidation and oxygenation.