Ochratoxin detoxification and antioxidant efficacy of amaranthus viridis and sorghum halepense

The present study aims to investigate the antifungal, antioxidant, and ochratoxin degradation potential of Amaranthus viridis L. and Sorghum halepense L. Various concentrations (1-5%) of methanol extract of A. viridis and S. halepense leaves were tested in vitro against Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) G. A. de Vries and Trichoderma viride Pers. A. viridis leaf methanol extract caused a significant decline in the biomass of C. cladosporioides and T. viride. Methanolic extract from leaves of S. halepense also reduced the growth of both the tested fungi. The antioxidant activity of both experimental plants was also determined. Five concentrations (10-50%) were made in methanol, and Butylated hydroxytoluene was used as standard. Results from this assay revealed that both test plants have significant antiradical potential. The in vivo detoxification of ochratoxins by A. viridis extract against ochratoxin-producing T. viride and C. cladosporioides was also carried out. Peanuts and walnut were used as test samples from which T. viride and C. cladosporioides were isolated. Ochratoxins were extracted from the test fungi by solvent extraction method. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was done for the detection of ochratoxin in both control and experimental samples followed by quantification through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). TLC analysis suggested that there was a remarkable reduction in ochratoxin level after the application of A. viridis in the walnut sample as compared to the control and maximum suppression was recorded in the walnut sample against C. cladosporioides. Similarly, HPLC analysis also revealed that the highest ochratoxin degradation was observed in the walnut sample against C. cladosporioides. This study concludes that botanical extracts can detoxify ochratoxins with little or no negative consequences.