Available online 27 January 2023

Photosensitizing ability of compounds is implicated in singlet oxygen (1O2) generation, a ROS non radical able to oxidize biomolecules affecting the cellular integrity, the increase in ROS levels derived in oxidative stress that is associated to the toxicity mechanisms of mycotoxins. Herein, the photosensitizing ability to generate 1O2 of 5-methoxysterigmatocystin, a mycotoxin isolated from aquatic fungus Acremonium persicinum was evaluated. Photosensitizing ability was determined through photo-oxidation of ergosterol method and corroborated by theoretical studies using Gaussian 16 programs, the M06-2X functional and the 6-311++G (d,p) basis set.

5-methoxysterigmatocystin exhibited efficient photosensitizing ability because it transformed 100% of ergosterol into ergosterol peroxide. Theoretical studies confirmed the experimental results shown that 5-methoxysterigmatocystin satisfied the energy requirements and is able to generate 1O2 corroborating their photosensitizing ability.

The identification of the photosensitizing ability of fungal compounds, such as 5-methoxysterigmatocystin and the use of visible light, could be useful in the implementation of fungi control strategies through the inactivation by self-destruction of fungi that produce photosensitizer mycotoxins in food and feed through the generation of 1O2 under light and thereby to contribute towards the improvement of food safety.

5-methoxysterigmatocystin

Acremonium persicinum

Aquatic fungus

Fungal compounds

Mycotoxin

Oxidative stress

Photosensitizing ability

ROS

Singlet oxygen

Toxicity mechanisms

© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.