LAUSR

Abstract Aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus sp. are one of the extremely potent toxins of fungal origin that create serious health hazards in plants, animals and humans. The present study aims to search for a reliable and eco-friendly biocontrol of aspergillus by validating the use of some traditionally used bryophytes applying standard antifungal assays. Three bryophytes were collected from different altitudes (213–2100 m) of Western Himalaya. Crude organic extracts (methanol/ethanol or acetone) of three bryophytes viz. Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dumort., Marchantia papillata Raddi and Rhynchostegium vagans  A. Jaeger were used for the control of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus through food poisoned technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined by micro broth dilution methods. Out of different crude organic extracts, acetone extract of Conocephalum conicum collected from Mukteshwar (altitude 2100 m) showed the highest percent inhibition (75±0.57–76±0.57%) with the lowest MFC (7.81 µg/mL) against A. flavus and A. parasiticus which was compared with an antibiotic, fluconazole. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis of the acetone extract of C. conicum revealed the presence of 30 major compounds out of which, riccardin C was found as a biomarker compound. The scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the structural anomalies in the treated Aspergillus sp. which confirms the fungicidal potential of C. conicum against Aspergillus sp.