Effects of base-soluble proteins and methanol-soluble polysaccharides from corn on mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus.

The antifungal activity of base-soluble proteins (BSP) and methanol-soluble polysaccharides (PS) from A. flavus resistant (Yellow Creole) and susceptible (Huffman) genotypes of corn were investigated by in vitro studies. Bioassays of fungal growth inhibition in agar media showed antifungal activity by proteins and polysaccharides only from the Huffman genotype. Microgramme quantities of protein and polysaccharides were required to retard fungal growth. The polysaccharides have molecular weights greater than 3.5 kilodaltons. Cathodic PAGE of native protein from the two genotypes showed six protein bands with differences in staining intensity of individual components. SDS-PAGE showed four distinct bands in Yellow Creole that were absent in Huffman. Both of the protein samples contained traces of carbohydrate. Analysis of hydrolyzed polysaccharide from the two genotypes showed different proportions of mannose and glucose.