Aspergillus niger produces lethal compounds against nematodes

Aspergillus niger is generally considered safe and is widely used across a broad range of industries from food to pharmaceuticals. The metabolites of some Aspergillus species are effective in killing nematodes. The active ingredients that play a role are citric acid and oxalic acid.

The effective nematocidal metabolite in the fermentation broth of the A. niger Ym16 is a calcium oxalate coordination compound (C₂ H₂ O₄ •2(C₂ HO₄ )•C₂ O₄ •4(H₂ O)•2(Ca)). The mortality of fermentation broth and compound solution to second-stage juveniles (J2s) of Meloidogyne incognita were 94% (8 h) and 95% (2 h), respectively. The hatching inhibition rates of fermentation broth and compound solution to eggs of M. incognita were 86% (24 h) and 87% (12 h), respectively. Furthermore, the Ym16 strain promoted plant growth.

Strain Ym16 and its metabolites should be the first choice for nematode control because it is an effective agent against soil nematodes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.