Sub3 inhibits Aspergillus flavus growth by disrupting mitochondrial energy metabolism, and has potential biocontrol during peanut storage

Abstract Background Aspergillus flavus , a saprophytic fungus, is regularly detected in oil‐enriched seeds. During colonization, this organism releases aflatoxins that pose a serious risk to food safety and human health. Therefore, an eco‐friendly biological approach to inhibit the pathogen is desirable. Results Experimental results indicated that A. flavus spores could not germinate in potato dextrose broth culture medium, when the concentration of Sub3 exceeded 0.15 g L −1 . Morphological evaluation performed by flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy indicated that spores were shrunken and pitted following Sub3 exposure. Physiological assessment using propidium iodide, 5,5′,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbocyanine iodide, 2,7‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining revealed damaged cell membranes, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and elevated large nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 29.42% and 45.48% after treatment with 0.1 and 0.15 g L −1 Sub3, respectively. Additionally, colonization capacity in peanut was significantly decreased, and the number of spores on seeds treated with Sub3 was decreased by 26.86% (0.1 g L −1 ) and 77.74% (0.15 g L −1 ) compared with the control group. Conclusion Sub3 likely inhibits A. flavus by crossing the cell wall and targeting the cell membrane, disrupting mitochondrial energy metabolism, and inducing DNA damage, leading to spore death. Thus, Sub3 may provide a useful biocontrol strategy to control A. flavus growth in peanuts. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry