Influence of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, on the toxicity of copper to Fusarium culmorum

Abstract

The effect of quercetin on copper toxicity to the mycelial growth of Fusarium culmorum was investigated. Increasing concentrations of copper produced dose-dependent inhibition in yeast extract and malt extract agar. However, the toxic level of copper against fungal growth was significantly affected by the concentration of yeast extract in the medium, compared to that of malt extract. Apart from the difference in toxic level of copper, the addition of quercetin antagonized copper toxicity to hyphae morphology and resulted in the reversal of fungal growth inhibition. Quercetin showed a protective ability similar to citrate, and was more effective than acetate and proline.