Activity of natural compounds from peanut skins on Fusarium verticillioides growth and fumonisin B1 production

• Peanut skin extract (PSE) possess inhibitory effects on Fusarium verticillioides growth.
• PSE had a significant influence on growth rate or lag phase of the fungal strain.
• The FB1 production was also affected by the presence of PSE.
• PSE could be use as an alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides.

The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic properties of peanut skin extracts (PSE) against Fusarium verticillioides. The PSE were prepared by a multisolvent extraction procedure, and the activity on growth parameters and fumonisin B1 (FB1) production of the three PSE was explored at different concentrations on potato dextrose agar and in artificially infected maize kernels, respectively. The results demonstrated that all PSE had a significant influence on growth rate or lag phase of F. verticillioides. The yellow and purple (250–500 μg ml−1) extracts decreased growth rate, whereas brown extract extended the lag phase. Only the yellow extract at 62.5 μg ml−1 was able to affect both growth rate and lag phase. With respect to mycotoxin production a significant stimulation on FB1 production was observed with purple (62.5 μg ml−1) and brown (250 μg ml−1) extracts. In contrast, a significant decreased in FB1 was observed at 62.5 μg ml−1 of yellow extract. These findings showed that natural compounds from PSE possess inhibitory effects on F. verticillioides growth and mycotoxin production. Thus, PSE could be use as an alternative to minimize fungal contamination.