Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and Nigella sativa oil on the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus strains

This study was undertaken to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract at concentrations of 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 g/100 ml and Nigella sativa oil at concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 ml/100 ml on the growth and aflatoxin B₁ production by Aspergillus parasiticus (CBS 921.7) and Aspergillus flavus (SQU 21) strains. The inhibition of aflatoxin B₁ production by the different concentrations of H. sabdariffa calyx ranged between 91.5-97.9% and 87.1-93.3% for A. flavus and A. parasiticus strains, respectively, whereas the inhibition by different concentrations of N. sativa oil ranged between 47.9 and 58.3% for A. flavus and 32-48% for A. parasiticus strains. The different concentrations of H. sabdariffa calyx and N. sativa oil had no significant effect on the growth of either Aspergillus species. Neither H. sabdariffa calyx nor N. sativa oil detoxified pure aqueous aflatoxin. Our results suggest that H. sabdariffa calyx and N. sativa oil extracted from seeds had metabolic effects on aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway of both Aspergillus species and can be used as an effective biocontrol and non-toxic biopreservatives in food industry against aflatoxin contamination.