Plant Nano Biology (Aug 2024)
Efficacy of Cymbopogon khasianus essential oil infused chitosan nanoemulsion for mitigation of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 contamination in stored Syzygium cumini seeds
Abstract
This research developed a novel chitosan nanoemulsion infused with Cymbopogon khasianus essential oil (CKEO-ChNe) and characterized through Dynamic light scattering, Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray diffractometry analyses followed by its efficacy testing against fungi and aflatoxin B1 contamination in Syzygium cumini seeds. The CKEO-ChNe inhibited Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production at 0.32 and 0.28 µL/mL with enhanced antioxidant activity and controlled delivery strategies. The inhibition of methylglyoxal and ergosterol biosynthesis, leakage of ions and molecular interaction of geraniol with Ver-1 (Versicolorin A dehydrogenase) and Omt-A (O-methyl transferase) proteins suggested the antifungal and anti-AFB1 mechanism of action. Further, the in situ protection of Syzygium cumini seeds against fungi, AFB1 contamination and lipid peroxidation (p<0.05) without altering the sensory characteristics, and favorable safety profile in mammalian model recommend the potentiality of encapsulated CKEO nanoemulsion as smart nano-fungitoxic preservative in agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.