Octyl Gallate Use to Protect Seeds from Foodborne Fungal Pathogens ^†

There is limited efficacy with conventional seed sanitation methods, directly affecting food safety. Insufficient elimination of mycotoxin-producing fungi contaminating seed surfaces can result in high mycotoxin contamination. In this study, a new seed sanitation formula was investigated by examining molecules repurposed from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved food additives as active ingredients. The selected benzaldehyde analog, octyl gallate (OG; octyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), previously shown to inhibit mycotoxin production, could function as heat-sensitizing agents when co-applied with mild heat. The co-application substantially enhanced the sanitation efficacy against fungi contaminating crop seeds, whereas the seed germination rate was unaffected. Therefore, OG-based heat sensitization could be a promising tool to achieve safe and cost-effective pathogen control in agriculture/food production.