Inhibition of patulin production by Penicillium expansum cultured with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts.

Aqueous extract of the leaves of neem [Azadirachta indica A. JUSS (Meliaceae)] was tested in vitro for antifungal activity against Penicillium expansum. Patulin production was inhibited during cultivation, when concentrations higher than 50 mg/ml of neem leaf extract was added to the culture medium. Analyses of mycotoxin production were performed by TLC and HPLC. Fungal growth and colony characteristics, in the presence of the extract, were investigated and compared with extract-free cultures.