Control of Aspergillus flavus is beneficial for the agricultural economy and food safety. Stilbenes exhibit antifungal properties through an unknown mechanism. Here, six stilbenes isolated from Cajanus cajan were screened for anti-A. flavus activity. Among them, pinosylvin monomethyl ether (PME) showed the strongest anti-A. flavus activity and has a broad antifungal spectrum with negligible hemolysis within the concentration range measured. PME inhibited the spore germination of A. flavus and the accumulation of aflatoxin B1. Mechanistic studies showed that PME could bind the cell membrane phospholipids, resulting in increased permeability and decreased fluidity. Further metabolic analysis showed that PME caused the lysis of cell membranes and subsequent collapse of spores, which resulted in a cell wall autolysis-like phenotype. Structure–activity relationship analysis revealed the importance of maintaining amphiphilicity harmony by substituent groups for the antifungal activity of stilbenes. Together, natural stilbenes are promising antifungal lead compounds worthy of further exploration and research for potential application in the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.

中文翻译：

---

松果醇单甲醚对黄曲霉的抑制机制

控制黄曲霉有利于农业经济和食品安全。二苯乙烯通过未知机制表现出抗真菌特性。在这里，筛选了从Cajanus cajan中分离出的六种二苯乙烯的抗黄曲霉活性。其中，松木素单甲醚（PME）表现出最强的抗黄曲霉活性，具有广谱抗真菌作用，在测量的浓度范围内溶血作用可忽略不计。PME 抑制黄曲霉的孢子萌发和黄曲霉毒素B1的积累。机理研究表明，PME 可以结合细胞膜磷脂，导致通透性增加和流动性降低。进一步的代谢分析表明，PME 导致细胞膜裂解和随后的孢子崩解，从而导致细胞壁自溶样表型。构效关系分析揭示了取代基维持两亲性和谐对芪类抗真菌活性的重要性。总之，天然二苯乙烯是很有前途的抗真菌先导化合物，值得进一步探索和研究，以在食品、制药和农业工业中发挥潜在应用。