Comparative Effect of Synthetic Fungicide and Plant Extracts on Inhibition of Aspergillus Flavus the Causal Agent of Aflatoxin Contamination in Food Crops

Chagbeh B E; Oluma H O A; Ojobo O A

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.11.no8.2025.pg173.182

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Comparative Effect of Synthetic Fungicide and Plant Extracts on Inhibition of Aspergillus Flavus the Causal Agent of Aflatoxin Contamination in Food Crops

Chagbeh B E, Oluma H O A and Ojobo O A

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of synthetic fungicide and plant extracts in inhibiting Aspergillus flavus, a major cause of grain deterioration and aflatoxin contamination, is traditionally controlled with chemical preservatives, pesticides, and physical methods such as cold storage and aeration. These approaches are costly, pose health risks, and are often inaccessible to rural farmers. This study compared the effectiveness of synthetic fungicides and plant extracts against A. flavus in Benue State, Nigeria. Extracts from ginger (Zingiber officinale), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), turmeric (Curcuma longa), garlic (Allium sativum), eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), orangeleaves, and orangebark(Citrus) were tested alongside synthetic fungicides (Safe Care, Pestoxcypermethrine, Aluminium Phosphate). Maize samples were obtained from markets in Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, and Gwer East for isolate. Ginger extract exhibited the strongest inhibition (19.89 ± 3.92 mm), comparable with Aluminium Phosphate (21.33 ± 1.22 mm) and Safe Care (19.33 ± 1.22 mm), and significantly greater than Pestoxcypermethrine (18.11 ± 0.78 mm; p<0.001). Moderate inhibition was observed with eucalyptus, orange bark, and garlic (12–13 mm), similar (p>0.001), while turmeric and lemongrass were less active (?11 mm; p<0.001). Orange leaves showed the lowest activity (10.56 ± 0.88 mm). Fungal load was significantly higher in Makurdi samples (78.8 ± 15.72 cfu/g), compared to other sites (p>0.001), likely due to market handling. Minimum inhibitory concentration assays identified garlic as most potent (8.33 ± 3.61 mg/ml), while eucalyptus and lemongrass required higher concentrations. Phytochemical analysis revealed high levels of phenolics and flavonoids, with turmeric rich in flavonoids and orange bark highest in alkaloids. These findings suggest ginger extract as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling A. flavus, with pote

Keywords

Aspergillus flavusAflatoxin contaminationPlant extract (Zingiber officinale

References

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Comparative Effect of Synthetic Fungicide and Plant Extracts on Inhibition of Aspergillus Flavus the Causal Agent of Aflatoxin Contamination in Food Crops

Abstract

Keywords

References

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