Evaluation of antifungal and antimicotoxin activities of phenolic extracts from rice bran

Abstract

This investigation analyzed the association between the amounts of phenolic compounds extracted from rice bran and the inhibition of Fusarium graminearum, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae proliferation, and the inhibition of aflatoxin production by the latter microorganism. Phenolic compounds were extracted with methanol, and they were quantified by means of colorimeter assay using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The antifungal activity was assessed by means of diluted agar technique. The development of the all of fungi were inhibited up to 2.3% inhibition/μg total phenol in the presence of rice bran phenolic extract, and the production of mycotoxins was inhibited by 100%. These findings suggest that the rice holds a natural defense against those fungal species attack, which might be associated with the occurrence of phenolic acids.