Effects of N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)dodecylamine on antioxidant enzyme activities, mitochondrial morphology and metabolism in Aspergillus niger.

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSP) as well as of succinate dehydrogenase (SDG), NADH dehydrogenase (NDG) and fumarate hydratase (FHT) were examined in relation to mitochondrial ultrastructure changes in Aspergillus niger exposed to N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)dodecylamine (Apd) that was shown to exhibit fungicidal activity. There was a progressive increase in SOD, CAT and GSP activities 1 and 4 h after 0.05 and 0.1 % Apd application. However, this was followed by a pronounced activity decrease when 0.05 % Apd treatment was prolonged by 1 d. The destructive effect on fungal morphology was observed when this fungicidal agent was applied at the concentration of 0.1 % for 1 d. In the treated hyphae mitochondria degenerated after all organelles. The morphological malformations of mitochondria had an impact on their metabolic state; however, the activities of SDG, NDG and FHT were affected to a different extent. In A. niger the fungicidal effect of Apd could be mediated by oxidative stress impairing the vital mitochondria-related cellular functions.