Effect of natural maize phytochemicals on Aspergillus section Flavi sclerotia characteristics under different conditions of growth media and water potential

The effects of the natural phytochemicals trans-cinnamic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) at concentrations of 1–20 mM (CA) and 1–25 mM (FA) on sclerotial production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were evaluated. Studies on sclerotium number and size were carried out in different growth media and water potentials (MPa). High concentrations of CA (20 mM, −0.75 MPa; 10 mM, −3.5 MPa) and FA (10, 20, 25 mM, −0.75 and −3.5 MPa) significantly reduced sclerotial production of Aspergillus strains. Overall, CA at concentrations of 10 and 20 mM on Czapek Dox medium (CD), maize meal extract agar (MMEA) and maize meal extract agar with sucrose and NaNO3 (MMEA S/N) inhibited sclerotium most in the four species assayed. The data show that the sclerotia characteristics of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were influenced by natural phytochemicals and modifications of growth media and water potential. CA and FA could be used at high concentrations to prevent the survival of Aspergillus species in grain.