The in Vitro Effect of Berberine Sulfate and Berberine Chloride on the Growth and Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Aflatoxins are harmful mycotoxins that can contaminate animal and human food products. To prevent toxigenic fungi growth and aflatoxin production, researchers have long investigated plant compounds as potential inhibitory agents.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of berberine sulfate and berberine chloride on the growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

The antifungal activity of berberine salts was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M38-A3. The aflatoxin levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

The berberine sulfate and berberine chloride showed inhibitory effects against both Aspergillus species, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 125 to 500 µg/mL. Berberine sulfate at 2000 μg/mL and berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. flavus, while berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL also completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus. Berberine sulfate at 2000 µg/mL reduced the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus by 96.7%. 

Berberine salts significantly decreased the total aflatoxin production of Aspergillus species at MIC/2 and MIC/4 concentrations (P˂0.05). The results suggest that berberine salts could be used as potential antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic agents against toxigenic Aspergillus isolates.