The inhibitory activities of aqueous and solvent extracts of twelve selected medicinal plants were evaluated against biosynthesis of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) by Aspergillus flavus. The A. flavus was isolated from maize, and aflatoxin B₁ biosynthesis was confirmed by comparison with standard AFB₁ using TLC method. In vivo antiaflatoxigenic efficacies of activity guided solvent extracts were determined in maize model system. All the extracts showed varying degree of antifungal and AFB₁ inhibitory activities, but chloroformic extract of Albizia amara, Cassia spectabilis and Solanum indicum, and methanolic extract of Acacia catechu, Albizia saman andAnogeissus latifolia showed the highest activity. Further investigations on identification of active principles from these plants are needed to develop plant based formulations for management of A. flavus growth and AFB₁ contamination in food grains.

Keywords: Antiaflatoxigenic, maize, Plant extracts

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