Inhibition of growth of Aspergillus flavus and Trichoderma viride by peanut embryos

Growth of Aspergillus flavus and Trichoderma viride on agar media was inhibited around embryos of green peanut seeds but not around embryos of cured seeds, intact peanut seeds, or testae. Both fungi were able to colonize intact seeds and testae. Substances inhibitory to A. flavus and T. viride were extracted with acetone from cotyledons of freshly harvested peanut seeds. Four compounds inhibitory to A. flavus were detected in crude acetone extracts. Three of the compounds demonstrated properties of phenolics. Results of this study suggest that inhibitory compounds in peanut cotyledons may play a role in protecting the peanut embryo from fungal infection.