Inhibition of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis by Piperlongumine Isolated from Piper longum L.

The alkaloids, piperlongumine, piperine, pipernonaline, and piperoctadecalidine, isolated from Piper longum L., were found to inhibit the biosynthesis of aflatoxin $B_1$ (AF$B_1$) in Aspergillus flavus WRRC 3-90-42-12. Piperlongumine was the most active among the compounds tested, with a 96% inhibition of AF$B_1$biosynthesis at 0.2% (w/v) supplement in a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The three other piperidine alkaloids, pipeline, pipernonaline, and piperoctadecalidine, also inhibited the biosynthesis of AF$B_1$. Of these three alkaloids, piperoctadecalidine exhibited a potent inhibitory activity with a 100% inhibition of AF$B_1$ production at 0.7% (w/v) supplement in a PDA medium. Therefore, piperlongumine and piperoctadecalidine could be used as antiaflatoxigenic agents in agricultural industries. To determine the antiaflatoxigenic mode of action of piperlongumine, further studies are needed.