Bersama abyssinica Fresen. (Melianthaceae): Antifungal Activity on Aflatoxin B1-producing Mold
Kouadio Bene *
Laboratory of Botany, UFR of Biosciences, University Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Adou Koffi Mathieu Kra
Laboratory of Pharmacodynamy Biochemistry, UFR of Biosciences, University Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouadio Fernique Konan
Laboratory of Bacteriology-virology Antibiotics, Natural Substances and Monitoring Resistances of Microorganisms in Anti-Infectives (ASSURMI), Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 490, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
Guédé Noël Zirihi
Laboratory of Botany, UFR of Biosciences, University Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is the main aflatoxin-producing mold (only group B). In view of the extent of the pathologies caused by these toxins, we have begun a series of research on medicinal plants with the aim of finding new bioactive substances capable of neutralizing the action of these mycotoxins and endowing a safety guaranteeing their taking in The therapeutic treatments of affections related to the production of aflatoxins in general but aflatoxin B1 in particular. An ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Department of Transua (East of Cote d'Ivoire) revealed Bersama abyssinica, medicinal species highly recommended in the treatment of mycoses. After extraction of the active ingredients, the Sabouraud double tube dilution method was used to evaluate the antifungal activities of two extracts of this plant. The aqueous total (TAE) and ethanolic extracts 70% (EE70%) of tested leaves possess an antifungal activity. EE70% is the most active (MIC = 0.781mg/ml and IC50 = 0.08 mg/ml). These results justify the traditional use of Bersama abyssinica in the treatment of mycotic diseases in the Department of Transua. Bersama abyssinica is an alternative in the bio-fight against Aspergillus flavus producing aflatoxin B1.
Keywords: Bersama abyssinica, Brong, antifungal activity, Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin B1.