Effects of Ozone Gas Exposure on Toxigenic Fungi Species from Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium Genera

The antifungal properties of ozone (O-3) gas exposure towards toxigenic fungi were evaluated in laboratory-scale treatments trials. O-3 gas was utilized at a concentration of 60 mu mol/mol at different times of exposure, which efficiently inhibited the fungi colonies growth, especially F. graminearum and P. citrinum. At the concentration applied, O-3 gas exposure was able to inhibit conidia germination, caused hyphae morphological alterations that led to hyphae death and ROS production of all fungi tested. O-3 action can be related to cell metabolism alterations, leading to apoptosis and oxidative stress, showing to be effective on controlling toxigenic fungal development which is one of the main problems regarding food contamination.