CHROMATOGRAPHY (GC-MS) CHARACTERIZATION, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF MELIA AZEDARACH L. SEED OIL AND ITS APPLICATION TO INHIBIT THE AFLATOXINS BIOSYNTHESIS OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS AND ASPERGILLUS PARASITICUS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64013/bbasrjlifess.v2026i1.55Keywords:
Toxic moulds, synthetic fungicides, mycotoxin control, Chinaberry tree, phytochemicals, fatty acids, free radicals, mould biomass reductionAbstract
The current study was led to assess the secondary metabolites composition, antioxidant activity, antifungal potential, and anti-aflatoxigenic efficiency of Melia azedarach seed oil against aflatoxigenic moulds. The bioactive compounds screening exposed the occurrence of tocopherols (3.5 ± 0.1 mg/g), flavonoids (4 ± 0.2 mg CAE/g), and total phenolics (21 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g). The Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis recognized 73.90% linoleic acid methyl ester as the chief fatty acid ingredient, followed through 8.99% and 6.78% of margaric acid methyl ester and oleic acid methyl ester, respectively. The antioxidant potential of seed oil was assessed by applying the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical quenching procedure. The seed oil displayed concentration-dependent antioxidant activities with 46.9mg/mL of IC50 value. The antifungal potential against Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus exhibited significant mould biomass inhibition at maximum oil dosage. The highest inhibition was determined at 500 mg/mL, ensuing 82% inhibition of Aspergillus parasiticus and 84% inhibition of Aspergillus flavus. The oil also efficiently inhibited the aflatoxins in both mould species in a dose-dependent way. The aflatoxin inhibition of G2, G1, B2, and B1 for Aspergillus parasiticus reached 96%, 86%, 94%, and 87%, respectively, while for Aspergillus flavus the aflatoxin inhibition reached 97% and 91% for B2 and B1, respectively, at 500mg/mL. These outcomes suggest that the seed oil of Melia azedarach exhibits significant free radical scavenging, anti-moulds, and anti-aflatoxigenic activities and can act as an efficient non-synthetic substance for inhibiting aflatoxigenic moulds and aflatoxin pollution.
Downloads
References
Alim-un-Nisaa, Naseem Zahrab, Sajila Hinaa and Nusrat Ejaza. (2012). Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1 in Poultry and Fish Feed by Various Chemicals. Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. B: biol. sci. 55 (3): 154-158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52763/PJSIR.BIOL.SCI.55.3.2012.154.158
Abdelillah A, Houcine B, Halima D, Meriem Cs, Imane Z, Eddine SD, Abdallah M, Daoudi Cs. 2013. Evaluation of antifungal activity of free fatty acids methyl esters fraction isolated from Algerian Linum usitatissimum L. seeds against toxigenic Aspergillus. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013; 3: 443-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60094-5
Abdel-Razek AG, Badr AN, Alharthi SS, Selim KA. 2021. Efficacy of Bottle Gourd Seeds' Extracts in Chemical Hazard Reduction Secreted as Toxigenic Fungi Metabolites. Toxins (Basel). 13(11):789. doi: 10.3390/toxins13110789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13110789
Abdel-Razek, A.G.; Badr, A.N.; El-Messery, T.M.; El-Said, M.M.; Hussein, A.M.S. 2018. Micro-nano encapsulation of black seed oil ameliorate its characteristics and its mycotoxin inhibition. Biosci. Res. 15, 2591–2601.
Abdelslam, Sh.H.S., Saleh, S.M., Abd El-Thalouth, J.I. & Ismail, E.E. (2020). Antimicrobial finishing for cotton fabrics and its blend using Melia Azedarach ethanol/ water extract containing printing paste formulation. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry. 63: 3289-3299.
Akacha M, Lahbib K, Ghanem Boughanmi N. 2016. Phytochemically evaluation and net anti-oxidant activity of Melia azedarach. L leaves extracts from their ProAntidex parameter. Bangladesh J Pharmacol. 11: 301-07. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v11i2.25981
Alharthi, S.S.; Badr, A.N.; Gromadzka, K.; Stuper-Szablewska, K.; Abdel-Razek, A.G.; Selim, K. 2021. Bioactive Molecules of Mandarin Seed Oils Diminish Mycotoxin and the Existence of Fungi. Molecules. 26, 7130. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237130
Al-Rubae, Y.A. (2009). The potential uses of Melia Azedarach L. as pesticidal and medicinal plant, review.American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 3: 185-194.
Aparna V, Dileep KV, Mandal PK, Karthe P, Sadasivan C, Haridas M. 2012. Anti-inflammatory property of n-hexadecanoic acid: structural evidence and kinetic assessment. Chem Biol Drug Des. 80(3):434-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-0285.2012.01418.x
Badr, A.N.; Ali, H.S.; Abdel-Razek, A.G.; Shehata, M.G.; Albaridi, N.A. 2020. Bioactive Components of Pomegranate Oil and Their Influence on Mycotoxin Secretion. Toxins. 12: 748. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12120748
Badr, A.N.; El-Said, M.M.; El-Messery, T.M.; Abdel-Razek, A.G. 2019. Non-traditional oils encapsulation as novel food additive enhanced yogurt safety against aflatoxins. Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 22: 51–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2019.51.58
Badr, A.N.; Shehata, M.G.; Abdel-Razek, A.G. 2017. Antioxidant activities and potential impacts to reduce aflatoxins utilizing jojoba and jatropha oils and extracts. Int. J. Pharmacol. 13, 1103–1114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2017.1103.1114
Bashir, S., Behiry, S., Al-Askar, A. A., Kowalczewski, P. Ł., Emaish, H. H., and Abdelkhalek, A. (2024). Antibacterial, antifungal, and phytochemical properties of Salsola kali ethanolic extract. Open Life Sciences, 19(1): 20220962. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biol-2022-0962
Behiry, S.I.; Hamad, N.A.; Alotibi, F.O.; Al-Askar, A.A.; Arishi, A.A.; Kenawy, A.M.; Elsamra, I.A.; Youssef, N.H.; Elsharkawy, M.M.; Abdelkhalek, A.; et al. 2022. Antifungal and Antiaflatoxigenic Activities of Different Plant Extracts against Aspergillus flavus. Sustainability 14: 12908. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912908. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912908
Carpinella MC, Giorda LM, Ferrayoli CG, Palacios SM. 2003. Antifungal effects of different organic extracts from Melia azedarach L. on phytopathogenic fungi and their isolated active components. J Agric Food Chem. 51(9):2506-11. doi: 10.1021/jf026083f. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jf026083f
Cuero RG, Smith JE, and Lacey J. (1987). Stimulation by Hyphopichia burtonii and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens of Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus flavus in Irradiated Maize and Rice Grains. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 53 (5): 1142-1146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.53.5.1142-1146.1987
Dahham SS, Ali MN, Tabassum H, Khan M. (2010). Studies on antibacterial and antifungal activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Am Eurasian J Agric Environ Sci 9: 273-281.
Dilika F, Bremner PD, Meyer JJM. 2000. Antibacterial activity of linoleic and oleic acids isolated from Helichrysum pedunculatum: A plant used during circumcision rites. Fitoterapia. 71: 450-52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00150-7
Egbo, C. C., Igboaka, D. C., and Uzor, P. F. (2024). Antimicrobial assay and GC-MS profile of the extract of the endophytic fungus from Annona muricata (Annonaceae) leaf. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research. 8(4): 7030-7034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v8i4.40
Faiza Azhar, Abida Latif, Muhammad Zohaib Rafay, Ahsan Iqbal, Iman Anwar, Zainab Waheed, Rana Muhammad Zahid Mushtaq. 2022. Preliminary Studies and In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Fruit-Seed Extracts of Melia azedarach Linn. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. 7(5): 1328-1335.
Gottlieb OR, Kaplan MA, Sorin MR de MB. Biodiversidad: Un enfoque integrado entre la Química y la Biología. Spanish version by Pomilio AB. Buenos Aires, Idecefyn, 2001.
Gu Jingwe, Liu Liding, Xiao Yiliang. 1995. Studies on the properties and used of the seeds oil of Melia azedarach) L. Natural Product Research and Development. 7(1):82-87.
Guimaraes A, Venancio A. 2022. The Potential of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives as Antifungal Agents: A Review. Toxins (Basel). 14(3):188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14030188
Jabeen K, Javaid A, Ahmad E, Athar M. 2011. Antifungal compounds from Melia azedarach leaves for management of Ascochyta rabiei, the cause of chickpea blight. Nat Prod Res. 25: 264-76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14786411003754298
Javid Ali, Arshad Hussain, Muhammad Siddique, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Ikram, Muhammad Zahoor, Naila Gulfam, Raiz Ullah, Amal Alotaibi. (2025). Phytochemical characterization and antifungal potentials of Melia azedarach Linn leave aqueous extract to inhibit aflatoxins biosynthesis in food during storages. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. 53(3). Article number. 14558. DOI:10.15835/nbha53314558. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314558
Javid Ali, Inayat ur Rehman, Javed Abbas Bangash. (2022). Phytochemicals content and in-vitro antioxidant properties of Azadirachta indica seeds, leaves and twigs prepared from different extraction techniques. International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology. 14(4):12-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ijest.v14i4.2
Kabara JJ, Swieczkowski DM, Conley AJ, Truant JP. 1972. Fatty acids and derivatives as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2: 23-28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.2.1.23
Khaldi, R., Rehimi, N., Kharoubi, R., Soltani, N. 2022. Phytochemical composition of almond oil from Melia azedarach L. and its larvicidal, ovicidal, repellent and enzyme activities in Culex pipiens L. Tropical Biomedicine 39(4): 531-538. https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.4.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.4.008
Kumar R, Singh R, Meera PS, Kalidhar S. 2003. Chemical components and insecticidal properties of Bakain (Melia azedarach L.)–A review. Agricultural Reviews. 24(2):101-15.
Lau, K.M., Su, W.S., Chien, S.C., Wang, S.Y. & Senthil-kumar, K.J. (2021). Melia azedarach flowers and their volatile components improved human physiological and psychological functions. Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants 24: 1200-1211. https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2021.1978869. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2021.1978869
Ling N, Zhang W, Wang D, Mao J, Huang Q, Guo S, Shen Q. 2013. Root exudates from grafted-root watermelon showed a certain contribution in inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. PLoS One. 2013; 8: e63383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063383
Maria C. Carpinella, Gabriela G. Herrero, Ruben A. Alonso, Sara M. Palacios. 1999. Antifungal activity of Melia azedarach fruit Extract. Fitoterapia 70: 296-298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00009-X
Maroua Akacha, Karima Lahbib, Mejda Daami Remadi and Néziha Ghanem Boughanmi. 2016. Antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of Melia azedarach ethanolic leaf extract. Bangladesh J Pharmacol. 11: 577-584. DOI: 10.3329/bjp.v11i3.27000. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v11i3.27000
McGaw LJ, Jäger AK, van Staden J. 2002. Antibacterial effects of fatty acids and related compounds from plants. S Afr J Bot. 68: 417-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0254-6299(15)30367-7
Mohammed Fazil Ahmed, A. Srinivasa Rao, Shaik Rasheed Ahemad and Mohammed Ibrahim. 2012. Phytochemical Studies and Antioxidant Activity of Melia Azedarach Linn Leaves by DPPH Scavenging Assay. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Applications. 3(1):271-276.
Mohammedi, Z. and Atik, F. (2013). Fungitoxic effect of natural extracts on mycelial growth, spore germination and aflatoxin B1 production of Aspergillus flavus. Aust. J. Crop Sci., 7(3): 293-298.
Muhammad Khawar Abbas, Mahmood Ahmad, Kashif Barkat and Naila Aslam. 2017. Antifungal, Antioxidant and Phytochemical Screening of Melia azedarach Flower Extracts by Using Different Solvents. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 20(1): 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/JPRI/2017/38246
Mukhan Wati and M. K. Deen. 2019. Antioxidant potential and physiochemical properties of seed kernels and oil of Melia azedarach of two locations. J. Indian Chem. Soc. 96:629-634.
Mulatu, A., Megersa, N., Tolcha, T., Alemu, T., and Vetukuri, R. R. (2022). Antifungal compounds, GC-MS analysis and toxicity assessment of methanolic extracts of Trichoderma species in an animal model. PloS One, 17(9): e0274062. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274062
Neycee MA, Nematzadeh GHA, Dehestani A, Alavi M. 2012. Assessment of antifungal effects of shoot extracts in chinaberry (Melia azedarach) against 5 phytopathogenic fungi. International journal of Agronomy and Plant Production. 3(9):313-317.
Nguyen XH, Naing KW, Lee YS, Moon JH, Lee JH, Kim KY. 2015. Isolation and characteristics of protocatechuic acid from Paenibacillus elgii HOA73 against Botrytis cinerea on strawberry fruits. J Basic Microbiol. 55: 625-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.201400041
Orhan IE, Guner E, Ozturk N, Senol FS, Erdem SA, Kartal M, Sener B. 2012. Enzyme inhibitory and anti-oxidant activity of Melia azedarach L. naturalized in Anatolia and its phenolic acid and fatty acid composition. Ind Crops Prod. 37: 213-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.11.028
Ouattara B, Simard RE, Holley RA, Piette GJP, Begin A. 1997. Antibacterial activity of selected fatty acids and essential oils against six meat spoilage organisms. Int J Food Microbiol. 37:155-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(97)00070-6
Padma M, Ganesan S, Jayaseelan T, Azhagumadhavan S, Sasikala P, Senthilkumar S, Mani P. 2019. Phytochemical screening and GC–MS analysis of bioactive compounds present in ethanolic leaves extract of Silybum marianum (L)., Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 9(1):85-89 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i1.2174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i1.2174
Pavela, R. & Benelli, G. (2016). Ethnobotanical knowledge on botanical repellents employed in the African region against mosquito vectors. Experimental Parasitology 167: 103-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2016.05.010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2016.05.010
Prasath KG, Tharani H, Kumar MS, Pandian SK. 2020. Palmitic Acid Inhibits the Virulence Factors of Candida tropicalis: Biofilms, Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, Ergosterol Biosynthesis, and Enzymatic Activity. Front Microbiol. 11:864. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00864
Ranchitha, B., Umavathi, S., Thangam, Y. & Revathi, S. (2016). Chemical constituents and larvicidal efficacy of Melia azedarach L leaf extract against dengue Vector Aedes egypti L (Diptera: Culicidae). International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology 5: 3060-3070.
Samuel, T., Adebayo, E., & Anthony, H. (2013). Control of Toxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins with Phytochemicals: Potentials and Challenges. In Mycotoxin and Food Safety in Developing Countries. InTech. https://doi.org/10.5772/53477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/53477
Seidel V, Taylor PW. 2004. In vitro activity of extracts and constituents of Pelargonium against rapidly growing mycobacteria. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 23: 613-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2003.11.008
Sen A, Batra A. 2012. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of medicinal plant: Melia azedarach L. Int J Curr Pharm Res. 4: 67-73.
Shadrach, A.U., Kenneth, O.C., Kalu, A.U. and Franci, A. (2018). Larvicidal activity of crude seed and leaf neem extracts (Azadirachta indica) against mosquito larvae in Kogi, North Central, Nigeria. American Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology 5: 12-17.
Shaimaa A. Khalid, Amira A. Elokle. 2025. Evaluation of Pumpkin seed oil and its chitosan-Arabic gum nanoparticles on the viability of Aspergillus flavus and inhibition of total aflatoxin in beef sausage. Food Control. 168. 110854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110854
Shumirai Musa, Oleen Machona and Rumbidzai Mangoyi. 2022. Determination of the antibacterial activity of the phytochemicals from Melia azedarach plant extract. Global Journal of Research in Agriculture & Life Sciences. 2(4):1-5.
Szewczuk VD., Mongelli ER, Pomilio AB. 2003. Antiparasitic activity of Melia azedarach growing in Argentina. Mol Med Chem. 1: 54-57.
Walters D, Raynor L, Mitchell A, Walker R, Walker K. 2004. Antifungal activities of four fatty acids against plant pathogenic fungi. Mycopathology. 157: 87–90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MYCO.0000012222.68156.2c
Yaping Wang, Liu Yang, Xueqian Fei, Xiaohua Yao, Daxiang Gao, Shaohai Guo. 2019. Antifungal Effect of Camellia Seed Cake Extract on Aspergillus flavus. Journal of Food Protection. 82(3):463-469. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-285
Yousef H., Metwaly HA and Hassanin MMH. (2022). Effect of Plant Extracts on Suppression of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxins Production in Peanuts. Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology. 50 (2):25-32. DOI: 10.21608/ejp.2022.150154.1064. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ejp.2022.150154.1064
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 M SIDDIQUE, J ALI, M AKRAM, J ABBAS, M YOUNAS (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
