Peanut Seed Coat Acts as a Physical and Biochemical Barrier against Aspergillus flavus Infection

Commey, L and Tengey, T K and Cobos, C J and Dampanaboina, L and Dhillon, K K and Pandey, M K and Sudini, H K and Falalou, H and Varshney, R K and Burow, M D and Mendu, V (2021) Peanut Seed Coat Acts as a Physical and Biochemical Barrier against Aspergillus flavus Infection. Journal of Fungi (TSI), 7 (12). pp. 1-21. ISSN 2309-608X

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Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination is a global menace that adversely affects food crops and human health. Peanut seed coat is the outer layer protecting the cotyledon both at pre- and post-harvest stages from biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of seed coat against A. flavus infection. In-vitro seed colonization (IVSC) with and without seed coat showed that the seed coat acts as a physical barrier, and the developmental series of peanut seed coat showed the formation of a robust multilayered protective seed coat. Radial growth bioassay revealed that both insoluble and soluble seed coat extracts from 55-437 line (resistant) showed higher A. flavus inhibition compared to TMV-2 line (susceptible). Further analysis of seed coat biochemicals showed that hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives are the predominant phenolic compounds, and addition of these compounds to the media inhibited A. flavus growth. Gene expression analysis showed that genes involved in lignin monomer, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoid biosynthesis are highly abundant in 55-437 compared to TMV-2 seed coats. Overall, the present study showed that the seed coat acts as a physical and biochemical barrier against A. flavus infection and its potential use in mitigating the aflatoxin contamination.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Center of Excellence in Genomics and Systems Biology
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	seed coat, peanut, aflatoxin, Aspergillus flavus
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Groundnut Others > Aflatoxins
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2025 09:33
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2025 09:33
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13144
Official URL:	https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/12/1000
Projects:	CGIAR-US University linkage grant program
Funders:	United States Agency for International Development
Acknowledgement:	We would like to thank the Department of Plant and Soil Science Texas Tech University.
Links:	Google Scholar

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