Inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis by phenolic compounds

The phenolic compounds acetosyringone, syringaldehyde and sinapinic acid inhibited the biosynthesis of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) by A. flavus. Acetosyringone was the most active among the three compounds, inhibiting aflatoxin level by 82% at 2 m mol l(-1). The synthesis and accumulation of norsolorinic acid, an aflatoxin biosynthetic intermediate, was also inhibited. These results suggest that at least one step early in the AFB(1) biosynthetic pathway is inhibited by the phenolics.