Ana Crespo-Sempere1,2, Cristina Selma-Lázaro1,2, Jeffrey D Palumbo3, Luis González-Candelas1, Pedro V Martínez-Culebras1,2. 1. Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Valencia, Spain. 2. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bromatología, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain. 3. Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are few studies dealing with the relationship between oxidative stress and ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis. In this work, we analyzed the effect of the oxidant stressor menadione and the antioxidants 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT), catechin, resveratrol and a polyphenolic extract on growth, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), OTA production and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes of Aspergillus carbonarius. RESULTS: Exposure to menadione concentrations higher than 20 µmol L(-1) led to increases in ROS and OTA levels and a decrease in growth rate. Exposure to 2.5-10 mmol L(-1) BHT also led to higher ROS and OTA levels, although growth rate was only affected above 5 mmol L(-1). Naturally occurring concentrations of catechin, resveratrol and polyphenolic extract barely affected growth rate, but they produced widely different effects on OTA production level depending on the antioxidant concentration used. In general, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxiredoxin (PRX) was downregulated after exposure to oxidant and antioxidant concentrations that enhanced OTA production level. CONCLUSION: Aspergillus carbonarius responds to oxidative stress, increasing OTA production. Nevertheless, the use of naturally occurring concentrations of antioxidant phenolic compounds to reduce oxidative stress is not a valid approach by itself for OTA contamination control in grapes.
BACKGROUND: There are few studies dealing with the relationship between oxidative stress and ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis. In this work, we analyzed the effect of the oxidant stressor menadione and the antioxidants 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT), catechin, resveratrol and a polyphenolic extract on growth, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), OTA production and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes of Aspergillus carbonarius. RESULTS: Exposure to menadione concentrations higher than 20 µmol L(-1) led to increases in ROS and OTA levels and a decrease in growth rate. Exposure to 2.5-10 mmol L(-1) BHT also led to higher ROS and OTA levels, although growth rate was only affected above 5 mmol L(-1). Naturally occurring concentrations of catechin, resveratrol and polyphenolic extract barely affected growth rate, but they produced widely different effects on OTA production level depending on the antioxidant concentration used. In general, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxiredoxin (PRX) was downregulated after exposure to oxidant and antioxidant concentrations that enhanced OTA production level. CONCLUSION:Aspergillus carbonarius responds to oxidative stress, increasing OTA production. Nevertheless, the use of naturally occurring concentrations of antioxidant phenolic compounds to reduce oxidative stress is not a valid approach by itself for OTA contamination control in grapes.