Phytochemical investigation of alkaloid fractions of Fumaria vaillantii and F. asepala and their antifungal influence on gene expression pattern in Aspergillus species

Authors: MONIR MOHSENI, AZRA ATAIE AZIMI, BABAK DELNAVAZ HASHEMLOIAN, MOZHGAN FARZAMISEPEHR

Abstract: The genus Fumaria is known for its strong medicinal effects. This research aimed to assess the phytochemical profile in various alkaloid fractions from Fumaria vaillantii Loisel and Fumaria asepala Boiss. grown in the Saveh region of the central province of Iran and their antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger was investigated in laboratory conditions. Also, the types and amount of alkaloid compounds and the effect of compounds on the expression of key genes of aflatoxin biosynthesis were conducted in order to investigate the ability of alkaloids of two Fumaria species to prepare environmentally friendly disinfectants. The total alkaloid contents were extracted using the soxhlet apparatus and then fractioned to perform GC-MS analysis. The effect of the extract of two species of Fumaria on the activity of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were evaluated considering time factors (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) and two concentrations (50 and 100 mg/mL). The total alkaloids of the leaf and fruit of F. vaillantii respectively contain (3.48 and 3.32 mgg?1DW, ) and F. asupala (2.38 and 2.26 mgg?1DW, respectively). Fractions 1 and 4 of leaf and fruit showed the highest total alkaloid content, which was then mixed for GC-MS analysis; isoquinoline alkaloids, including protopine and sanguinarine; parfumine and allocryptopine accounted for the highest percentage of alkaloids in both species. F. vaillantii had a higher content of these alkaloids. The antifungal activity of fractions 1 and 4 reduced radial growth in both Aspergillus species. The alkaloid fractions at both species caused downregulation of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis key genes (aflR, aflD, and aflM) in A. flavus and fumonisin B2, key genes(fum8 and fum6) in A. niger. The obtained data shows that alkaloid fractions extracted from Fumaria species, F. vaillantii, can be useful in the preparation of nature-friendly disinfectants for postharvest disinfection of fruits and vegetables.

Keywords: Alkaloid fractions, Aspergillus flavus, Fumaria sp., antifungal activity, aflatoxin

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