Detoxification assessment of Aflatoxin in Aspergillus flavus under the effect of Calendula officinalis Linn’s methanolic extract

Calendula officinalis Linn (pot marigold) possess potential pharmacological activities which might be considered as an excellent cause, in scheming the aflatoxin biosynthesis in the aflatoxigenic fungi. The aim of the present study was toassess the antifungal activity of methanol extracts of the plant petals against biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Aspergillus flavus. The antifungal potential of methanolic extract of C. officinalis was evaluated against the toxigenic fungus onCzapek Dox Agar (CDA) and Czapek Dox Broth (CDB) Media, using disc diffusion assay. The use of C. officinalis extract on the A. flavus culture showed the significant inhibition of AFB1up to 59.50% along with the reduction of mycelial growth to about24.82%. Although, the treatment of the AFB1 with the extract for 5 hours at 80ºC which led to 78.48%. The work well established the inhibitory role of C. officinalis extract in order to reduce the AFB1 threat.