Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus Modulates Aflatoxin-B1 Levels through an Antioxidative Mechanism

Aflatoxins (AFs) are considered to play important functions in species of Aspergillus section Flavi including an antioxidative role, as a deterrent against fungivorous insects, and in antibiosis. Atoxigenic Flavi are known to degrade AF-B1 (B1). To better understand the purpose of AF degradation, we investigated the degradation of B1 and AF-G1 (G1) in an antioxidative role in Flavi. Atoxigenic and toxigenic Flavi were treated with artificial B1 and G1 with or without the antioxidant selenium (Se), which is expected to affect levels of AF. After incubations, AF levels were measured by HPLC. To estimate which population would likely be favoured between toxigenic and atoxigenic Flavi under Se, we investigated the fitness, by spore count, of the Flavi as a result of exposure to 0, 0.40, and 0.86 µg/g Se in 3%-sucrose cornmeal agar (3gCMA). Results showed that levels B1 in medium without Se were reduced in all isolates, while G1 did not significantly change. When the medium was treated with Se, toxigenic Flavi significantly digested less B1, while levels of G1 significantly increased. Se did not affect the digestion of B1 in atoxigenic Flavi, and also did not alter levels of G1. Furthermore, atoxigenic strains were significantly fitter than toxigenic strains at Se 0.86 µg/g 3gCMA. Findings show that while atoxigenic Flavi degraded B1, toxigenic Flavi modulated its levels through an antioxidative mechanism to levels less than they produced. Furthermore, B1 was preferred in the antioxidative role compared to G1 in the toxigenic isolates. The higher fitness of atoxigenic over toxigenic counterparts at a plant non-lethal dose of 0.86 µg/g would be a useful attribute for integration in the broader biocontrol prospects of toxigenic Flavi.