The inhibitory effect of the mentha piperita leaves extracts on the mycotoxin producer aspergillus niger

Fungi are widespread in the world as well as the cause of many diseases for both humans and animals. Fungi and its mycotoxins can cause a loss in quality and quantity of the agricultural products as well as a source of danger to human and animal health. Aflatoxin is one of the most dangerous food contaminants because of its carcinogenic effects and its ability to affect different tissues in humans and animals, especially liver and kidney. Most species of Aspergillus sp. produce Aflatoxins but to varying degrees. It is necessary to find natural alternatives to the commonly used chemical pesticides control fungi and other agricultural pests. This study aims to study the inhibition effect of the aquatic extracts of Mentha piperita (mint plant) on Aspergillus niger that could result in the reduction of toxins production. Cold, hot and fresh aquatic raw extracts were tested against A. niger fungi on the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA) at 25 ± 2° C for seven days. The cold aquatic extract of mint showed effective inhibition of the growth of A. niger (72.4% ± 2.6, 47.5% ± 2.1) on the PDA and SDA, respectively. Furthermore, the hot aquatic extract of the mint plant showed an inhibitory rate of (18.9% ± 1.6, 20.6% ± 2.3) on the PDA and SDA medium, respectively. The fresh aquatic extract of the mint plant showed (33.2% ± 3.7, 28.9% ± 0.7) inhibition rate of A. niger on the PDA and SDA medium, respectively. Mint extracts proved to be potentially effective to inhibit the growth of A. niger. It can be used as a natural alternative preventive to control food contamination and therefore toxicity with mycotoxins. Also, it can be a potential preservative for foodstuff to avoid many health hazards of the traditional used chemical antimicrobial agents.