Antiaflatoxigenic activity of eugenol is due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation

Eugenol inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 in a dose-dependent manner up to a concentration of 0.75 mmol l(-1) withou t inhibiting growth. When the mould was grown for 3 d in the presence of 0. 45 mmol l(-1) eugenol (concentration inhibiting aflatoxin production by 50% ), in vivo activities of components of polysubstrate monooxygenase were dec reased at idiophase, concomitant with decreased activities of enzymes invol ved in free radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and maintenance of redox potential. These results indicate that antiaflatoxigenic actions of eugeno l may be related to inhibition of the ternary steps of aflatoxin biosynthes is involving lipid peroxidation and oxygenation.