The South region of Brazil is a major apple producer, where 80% is destined to the "in natura" consumption. The mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites present as contaminants in the food chain, causing several toxicological and immunological effect. Patulin is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Penicillium expansum and well known as the main contaminant in apples. Due to this contamination, the aim of this work was to access the effect of Neem extract (Azadirachta indica) on artificially contaminated apples. Two types of Neem extracts were tested: the aqueous extracts of Neem leafs at 5, 10, 20 and 30% concentrations, and commercial seed oil of Neem (DalNeem®) at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5% in water. Although the addition of Neem aqueous extracts in artificially contaminated apples with P. expansum was unable to affect the patulin production, the Neem seed oil extract at concentrations as lower as 0.5%, caused a pronounced diminution over patulin production.
Apple; Azadirachta indica; Neem; patulin; Penicillium expansum
