Opposite Effect of Cu(II) and Se(IV) Ions on the Antibacterial-Toxic Action of Mycotoxins

The effect of Se(IV) and Cu(II) ions on the antibacterial activity of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (mycotoxins) was studied in BioArena as a complex bioautographic system. In the presence of 0.23 and 0.46 mg/100 mL Se(IV) the inhibition zones of mycotoxins were decreased, however, lower concentration (0.046 mg/100 mL) increased the antibacterial effect of aflatoxin B1. Cu(II) (1.53 mg/100 mL) enhanced the toxicity of mycotoxins. The results supported the possible role of formaldehyde and its reaction products (e.g. 1 O 2 , O 3 ) in the antibacterial-toxic action of mycotoxins. Cu(II) can probably generate and mobilise the formaldehyde molecules and so it could increase the toxicity with its potential reaction products. It is possible that the enzymatic or spontaneous methylation of Se(IV) takes place through formaldehyde, which may cause partial formaldehyde depletion in the system. The enhanced antibacterial effect at low concentration Se(IV) is overlapping with the often experienced prooxidant effect in cases of natural antioxidants.