Abstract
The mechanism of antifungal activities of propolis (Bee glue) was investigated for the growth, aflatoxins production, and lipids (total lipids, neutral lipids, phospholipids, and fatty acids) metabolism of Aspergillus parasiticus. The results of the present study indicated that propolis caused significant decrease in conidial production and conidial germination as well as mycelial growth (both radial and dry weight) of A. parasiticus. It was also found that aflatoxins production by A. parasiticus decreased significantly with 0.2 and 0.4 (g/100 ml) concentrations of propolis, however, 0.6 (g/100 ml) concentration caused complete inhibition of all aflatoxins production. The biochemical investigation of cellular total lipids, neutral lipids, and phospholipids of A. parasiticus suggested clear catabolic repression of lipids metabolism by propolis. Gas chromatographic analysis of cellular fatty acids indicated that propolis enhanced accumulation of saturated fatty acids suggesting resistance mechanism of fungal membrane via decreasing its fluidity and elasticity.