EFFECT OF EPHEDRA ALATA ON NUCLEIC ACIDS AND NITROGEN METABOLISM OF SEEDBORNE ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS

Abstract

The antifungal mechanism of Ephedra alata against aflatoxigenic seedbrone Aspergillus flavus was studied. The sensitivity of A. flavus to E. alata was investigated via studying the alteration in some biochemical compositions of mold mycelia. It has been observed that E. alata caused significant inhibitory alterations on synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and non-soluble nitrogen fractions (protein-N2 and total N2). The alteration in free amino acids of the experimental mold due to E. alata indicated significant increase in glutamic acid, proline, serine, leucine, and phenyl alanine. The results recorded here, clearly indicated the possibility of using the alteration in free amino acids in mycelial growth of A. flavus as sensitive monitor for the possible suggested mechanism of E. alata.