The composition, anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf and fruit oils of Juniperus formosana from Taiwan

In this study, anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf and fruits essential oil and its constituents from Juniperus formosana were evaluated in vitro against seven mildew fungi and four wood decay fungi, respectively. The main compounds responsible for the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities were also identified. The essential oil from the fresh leaves and fruits of J. formosana were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. The leaf oil mainly consisted of alpha-pinene (41.0%), limonene (11.5%), alpha-cadinol (11.0%), elemol (6.3%), and beta-myrcene (5.8%); the fruit oil was mostly alpha-pinene (40.9%), beta-myrcene (32.4%), alpha-thujene (5.9%) and limonene (5.9%). Comparing the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oils suggested that the leaf oil was the most effective. For the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol and elemol.

Cell wall components of Leptosphaeria maculans enhance resistance of Brassica napus

Preparations with elicitation activity were obtained from the mycelium of Leptosphaeria maculans , a fungal pathogen of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Crude delipidated and deproteinized extract from fungal cell walls induced expression of pathogenesis related gene 1 (PR1), hydrogen peroxide accumulation, and enhanced resistance of B. napus plants toward infection by L. maculans. Elicitation activity significantly decreased after treatment of a crude extract with α- or β-glucanase. Monosaccharide composition analysis of a crude extract purified by ion-exchange chromatography revealed glucose (∼58 mol %), mannose (∼22 mol %), and galactose (∼18 mol %) as the major sugars. FT-IR and NMR spectra confirmed the presence of both carbohydrate and polypeptide components in the purified product. Correlation NMR experiments defined trisaccharide bound to O-3 of serine residue α-D-Glcp-(1→2)-β-D-Galf-(1→6)-α-D-Manp-(1→3)-L-Ser. Terminal α-D-Glcp and (1→6)-β-D-glucan were also detected. The obtained results strongly support the conclusion that these carbohydrates induce defense response in B. napus plants.

RDC-based determination of the relative configuration of the fungicidal cyclopentenone 4,6-diacetylhygrophorone A12

The hygrophorones, a class of cyclopentenones isolated from fruiting bodies of the genus Hygrophorus (basidiomycetes), show promising antifungal activity. While the constitution of 4,6-diacetylhygrophorone A(12) (3) and the relative configuration of the stereogenic centers in the cyclopentenone ring were elucidated using standard NMR and MS techniques, the relative configuration of the exocyclic stereogenic center could not be assigned. By introducing a sample of 3 into an alignment medium and measuring anisotropic NMR parameters, namely, residual dipolar couplings, we were able to unambiguously determine the relative configuration of all three stereogenic centers in 4,6-diacetylhygrophorone A(12) simultaneously by fitting several structure proposals to the experimental data.

Antifungal activity against plant pathogens of metabolites from the endophytic fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries extracts led to the isolation of four compounds, including cladosporin, 1; isocladosporin, 2; 5'-hydroxyasperentin, 3; and cladosporin-8-methyl ether, 4. An additional compound, 5',6-diacetylcladosporin, 5, was synthesized by acetylation of compound 3. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for antifungal activity against plant pathogens. Phomopsis viticola was the most sensitive fungus to the tested compounds. At 30 μM, compound 1 exhibited 92.7, 90.1, 95.4, and 79.9% growth inhibition against Colletotrichum acutatum , Colletotrichum fragariae , Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , and P. viticola, respectively. Compound 2 showed 50.4, 60.2, and 83.0% growth inhibition at 30 μM against Co. fragariae, Co. gloeosporioides, and P. viticola, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 were isolated for the first time from Cl. cladosporioides. Moreover, the identification of essential structural features of the cladosporin nuclei has also been evaluated. These structures provide new templates for the potential treatment and management of plant diseases.

Antifungal activities of metabolites produced by a termite-associated Streptomyces canus BYB02

Two main antifungal metabolites resistomycin and tetracenomycin D were isolated and purified from a termite-associated Streptomyces canus BYB02 by column chromatography. The structures of isolated compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Resistomycin possessed strong activities against mycelial growth of Valsa mali (IC(50) = 1.1 μg/mL) and Magnaporthe grisea (IC(50) = 3.8 μg/mL), which were comparable to those of referenced cycloheximide, with IC(50) values of 2.3 and 0.3 μg/mL, respectively. A further spore germination test showed that resistomycin exhibited potent reduction in spore germination for M. grisea , with an IC(50) value of 5.55 μg/mL. Finally, the in vivo antifungal activity experiment showed that resistomycin possessed significant preventive efficacy against rice blast, which was more potent than that of referenced carbendazim, with control efficacies of 66.8 and 58.7%, respectively. The present results suggest that resistomycin has potential to be used as a fungicide.

Cadinene sesquiterpenes from Eupatorium adenophorum and their antifungal activity

Bioactive constituents of Eupatorium adenophorum were investigated for antifungal activity. A structure-antifungal activity relationship of cadinene sesquiterpenes was predicted by evaluating individual derivatives. Cadinene derivatives were extracted from leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum using ethyl acetate. Five cadinene sesquiterpenes were isolated by column chromatography and Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography. Bioactivity of these cadinene sesquiterpenes were evaluated in vitro against four phytopathogenic fungi using poison food technique. Purified sesquiterpenes were spectroscopically elucidated as cadinan-3-ene-2,7-dione (1), 7-hydroxycadinan-3-ene-2-one (2), 5,6-dihydroxycadinan-3-ene-2,7-dione (3), cadinan-3,6-diene-2,7-dione (4) and 2-acetyl-cadinan-3,6-diene-7-one (5). Antifungal evaluation of these compounds against pathogenic fungi was found to be selective. Compound 1 was highly inhibitory towards S. rolfsii (ED50 181.60 ± 0.58 μgmL(-1)) and R. solani (ED50 189.74 ± 1.03 μgmL(-1)). Availability of plant material and significant antifungal activity makes the plant a potential source of antifungal agent and that can be exploited for the development of a natural fungicide.

Simultaneous detection and degradation patterns of kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin residues in citrus fruits by HPLC combined with QuEChERS

This study aimed to investigate the residues, kinetics and dissipation patterns of kresoxim-methyl, (E)-methoxyimino[α-(o-tolyloxy)-o-tolyl]acetate, and trifloxystrobin, methyl(E)-methoxyimino-{(E)-α[1-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)ethylideneaminooxy]-o-tolyl}acetate". A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) method combined with the 'Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged and Safe' (QuEChERS) protocol was developed to quantify the levels of kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin residues in citrus. More than 97% of the kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin deposists gradually dissipated from the citrus peels within 15 days. The half-lives of kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin in the peels were in the ranges of 2.63-2.66 d and 3.12-3.15 d, respectively, and the pattern of decline in the peels followed first-order kinetics. The kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin residues in the pulp dissipated below the detectable level of 0.01 mg kg(-1) after 9 days. Kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin were easily decomposed (T1/2 < 30 d), and the observed dissipation patterns could support the application of these two fungicides in the postharvest storage of citrus fruits.

Secondary metabolites: applications on cultural heritage

Biological sciences and related bio-technology play a very important role in research projects concerning protection and preservation of cultural heritage for future generations. In this work secondary metabolites of Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola (Bga) ICMP 11096 strain and crude extract of glycoalkaloids from Solanaceae plants, were tested against a panel of microorganisms isolated from calcarenite stones of two historical bridges located in Potenza and in Campomaggiore (Southern Italy). The isolated bacteria belong to Bacillus cereus and Arthrobacter agilis species, while fungi belong to Aspergillus, Penicillium, Coprinellus, Fusarium, Rhizoctonio and Stemphylium genera. Bga broth (unfiltered) and glycoalkaloids extracts were able to inhibit the growth of all bacterial isolates. Bga culture was active against fungal colonies, while Solanaceae extract exerted bio-activity against Fusarium and Rhizoctonia genera.

[Growth stimulating, fungicidal and nematicidal properties of new microbial substances and their impact on si/miRNA synthesis in plant cells]

New substances on the basis of soil streptomycete Streptomyces avermitilis metabolites and also compositions of preparation averkom with elicitors show growth regulating activity and bioprotective properties, proved in experiments with wheat spring of variety Grizo and cucumbers of variety Nezhinskiy. Most of the created substances possess the antagonistic action in relation to phytopathogenic fungi, as well as antinematode activity in relation to the gallic nematode Meleodoidyne incognita. In the conditions of the artificial nematode infecting the preparation averkom and its modifications demonstrate protective action (up to 85-100 %) on cucumber sprouts of Nezhinskiy variety. The considerable differences were found out in the index of homology percentage between small regulatory RNA (si/miRNA) and mRNA of experimental (that were treated by substances on the infectious background) and control cucumbers, and wheat plants.

Partial identification of antifungal compounds from Punica granatum peel extracts

Aqueous extracts of pomegranate peels were assayed in vitro for their antifungal activity against six rot fungi that cause fruit and vegetable decay during storage. The growth rates of Alternaria alternata , Stemphylium botryosum , and Fusarium spp. were significantly inhibited by the extracts. The growth rates were negatively correlated with the levels of total polyphenolic compounds in the extract and particularly with punicalagins, the major ellagitannins in pomegranate peels. Ellagitannins were also found to be the main compounds in the bioactive fractions using bioautograms, and punicalagins were identified as the main bioactive compounds using chromatographic separation. These results suggest that ellagitannins, and more specifically punicalagins, which are the dominant compounds in pomegranate peels, may be used as a control agent of storage diseases and to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides.

Determination of famoxadone, fenamidone, fenhexamid and iprodione residues in greenhouse tomatoes

BACKGROUND

Greenhouse tomato production is intended exclusively for fresh consumption. Typical greenhouse conditions provide a conducive environment for the development of different fungi, principally late blight and grey mould, that can destroy plants and fruits. For this reason, different fungicides with different sites of action are used in integrated pest management strategies. Famoxadone, fenamidone, fenhexamid and iprodione (fig. 1) are fungicides of difference classes with different actions that could be used to control tomato pests.

RESULTS

The QuEChERS method showed good recoveries, and the analytical method allowed good separation of the fungicides selected. Good results were obtained in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision, with a coefficient of variation of < 9.8%. The limits of determination and quantification of the method were far below the maximum residual levels (MRLs) set by the EU for these fungicides in tomatoes. The analysis of fungicide residues showed that cv. Shiren accounted for higher residue levels than cv. Caramba. The dissipation curves were similar in the two cultivars, indicating that the decrease in pesticides was not related to the tomato type.

CONCLUSIONS

Care should be taken when using pesticides in greenhouse conditions, because degradation mainly affects fruit growth. The size of the tomato, in particular its surface/weight ratio, is very important for defining pesticide residues. All fungicides used showed residue levels below the MRLs at the preharvest interval.

Solanum nigrum L. weed plants as a remediation tool for metalaxyl-polluted effluents and soils

In this work, the phytoremediation potential of metalaxyl, a commonly used persistent, mobile and leachy fungicide, by Solanum nigrum L. plants was studied. The study revealed that this plant species can be used as an excellent metalaxyl phytoremediation tool, thus providing a cost effective and environmentally friendly clean technology for the decontamination of sites and effluents. As it can be sowed directly in the remediation site, is able to complete its life cycle without suffering major stress. Because it accumulates high amounts of the fungicide in the aboveground tissues, enables its concentration and proper disposal by cutting off the corresponding plant part. The study also suggests that the tolerance to metalaxyl is due to a suitable antioxidant response comprising proline accumulation and guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase enhanced activities, that reduce oxidative damage to the plant organs.

Remediation of fungicide residues on fresh produce by use of gaseous ozone

Ozone fumigation was explored as a means for degrading organic fungicide residues on fresh produce. Fungicides sorbed onto model abiotic glass surfaces or onto grape berries were fumigated separately in a flow-through chamber. Gaseous ozone at a constant concentration of 150 ± 10 ppmv (μL·L(-1)) selectively oxidized fungicides sorbed to model surfaces. Over 140 min, boscalid and iprodione levels did not change significantly based on a single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 95% level of confidence (p = 0.05); however, pseudo-first-order losses resulted in observable rate constants of ozonolysis, k(ozonolysis) (min(-1)), of 0.0233 ± 0.0029 (t(1/2) ≈ 29.7 min), 0.0168 ± 0.0028 (t(1/2) ≈ 41.3 min), and 0.0127 ± 0.0010 (t(1/2) ≈ 54.6 min) for fenhexamid, cyprodinil, and pyrimethanil, respectively. The relative degradation of fungicides on berries at gaseous ozone concentrations of 900 ± 12 ppmv (μL·L(-1)) over 2 h was similar to that on glass; decreases in residue concentration were observed for only fenhexamid (∼ 64%), cyprodinil (∼ 38%), and pyrimethanil (∼ 35%) with corresponding k(ozonolysis) (min(-1)) of 0.0085 ± 0.0021 (t(1/2) ≈ 81.5 min), 0.0039 ± 0.0008 (t(1/2) ≈ 177.7 min), and 0.0036 ± 0.0007 (t(1/2) ≈ 192.5 min). Heterogeneous rate constants of gaseous ozone reacting with a sorbed fungicide, k(O(3)) (M(-1)·min(-1)), were calculated for both surfaces and indicate losses proceed ∼ 15-fold slower on grapes. The kinetics and mechanism of fungicide removal, supported by gas chromatography- and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry product analyses, is discussed in the context of facilitating compliance with maximum residue level (MRL) tolerances for fresh produce.

Identification of botryticidal proteins with similarity to NBS-LRR proteins in rosemary pepper (Lippia sidoides Cham.) flowers

Heavy agricultural losses are closely related to attacks by insect-pests and phytopathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Among them, the fungus Botrytis cinerea can cause gray mold in more than 200 different species of plants, and is considered a challenging problem for agribusiness. Fungicides are commonly used to control this pathogen because they are fast-working and easy to apply. However, the continuous use of fungicides may promote the selection of resistant fungi and can also cause profound contamination in ecosystems. Aiming to find alternative strategies to solve these problems, several studies have focused on searching for plant proteins and peptides with antifungal activities (AFPs). With this in mind, this report shows the isolation and characterization of two novels antifungal proteins from flowers of rosemary pepper (Lippia sidoides Cham.) with 10 and 15 kDa. Isolation was performed by using an Octyl-Sepharose hydrophobic column. In vitro bioassays indicated that isolated proteins were able to inhibit B. cinerea development, but were not effective against all bacteria tested. Moreover, N-termini sequences indicate that both proteins showed sequence homology with NBS-LRR R proteins with a lower molecular mass, suggesting possible protein fragmentation. Data reported here could help in the development of biotechnological products for crop protection against phytopathogenic fungi in the near future.

Isolation, characterization and antifungal activity of major constituents of the Himalayan lichen Parmelia reticulata Tayl

Antifungal activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Parmelia reticulata was evaluated against soilborne pathogenic fungi, namely, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, R. bataticola, Fusarium udum, Pythium aphanidermatum and P. debaryanum by poisoned food technique. Maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by hexane and ethyl acetate extracts against most of the test pathogens. Secondary metabolites, namely, (±)-isousnic acid, (±)-protolichesterinic acid, atranorin, evernyl, ethyl hematommate, ethyl orsellinate, methyl hematommate (3-formyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid methyl ester), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoic acid, 1-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-8-methyl-xanthen-9-one, baeomycesic acid and salazinic acid, were isolated from the above extracts and identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. When these metabolites were tested for antifungal activity against test pathogens, maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by (±)-protolichesterinic acid against R. solani (ED50=23.09 μg mL(-1)) and P. debaryanum (ED50=16.07 μg mL(-1)) and by atranorin against S. rolfsii (ED50=39.70 μg mL(-1)). The antifungal activity of protolichesterinic acid was found to be comparable to that of hexaconazole, a commercial fungicide.

Occurrence and removal of fungicides in municipal sewage treatment plant

This work reports the occurrence and the removal of widely used fungicides, in municipal sewage treatment plant receiving combined sewage discharges and operating with primary (mechanical), secondary (activated sludge) and tertiary (sand filtration and chlorination) treatments that are commonly applied in Greece. Target analytes included compounds belonging to triazoles and anilino-pyrimidines. Analytical determination in wastewaters and river water samples was carried out by means of solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography equipped with flame thermionic and mass spectrometric detection. The fungicides tebuconazole and cyproconazole were more frequently detected in influent and effluent samples at concentrations up to 1893 and 1735 ng L(-1), respectively. Effluent concentrations were below 691.1 ng L(-1) recorded for tebuconazole. With the exception of triadimefon, all the azole fungicides and pyrimethanil showed relatively low removal efficiencies after secondary and tertiary treatments. Mean removal rates of the fungicides after secondary treatment ranged between 31% for pyrimethanil and 65% for triadimefon. Mean overall removal efficiencies after tertiary treatment ranged between 46% for pyrimethanil and 93% for triadimefon. The findings demonstrate that significant levels of fungicides enter river waterways and that only some of these compounds are being reduced in low levels by municipal wastewater treatment processes.

[Antimicrobial activity of volatile oil from Atractylodes lancea against three species of endophytic fungi and seven species of exogenous fungi]

In order to investigate the inhibitory effects of host plants secondary metabolites on the growth of endophytic and exogenous fungi, the volatile oil from medicinal plant Atractylodes lancea was extracted with organic solvent extraction method, and its antimicrobial activity against three species of endophytic and seven species of exogenous fungi was determined by paper disc assay and spread-plate. The volatile oil had inhibitory effects on the growth of test endophytic fungi. It had strong antimicrobial activity against Rhodotorula glutinis and Saprolegnia, but weak activity against Rhizopus and Absidia. It suppressed the sporulation of Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger, but no effects on the growth of Phytophthora. Under the stress of high concentration volatile oil, the hyphal branches of test endophytic fungi increased, the distance between the branches became shorter, and the growth of aerial hyphae was inhibited. The test endophytic fungi had remarkable ability to metabolize and transform the volatile oil, and decreased the contents of its main ingredients. All the results showed that the volatile oil extracted from A. lancea had inhibitory effects on the growth of endophytic fungi, but the fungi could adapt to the volatile oil via metabolizing and decomposing it.

Isolation and simultaneous LC analysis of thiram and its less toxic transformation product in DS formulation

A simple and sensitive high pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of Thiram and its transformation product using isocratic mixture of methanol-water (65:35) at flow rates of 0.75 mL min(-1), PDA detector using UV absorbance (lambda(max)) at 217 nm for Thiram and 265.5 nm for the transformation product. The transformation product was isolated from the commercial DS formulation and has been tentatively assigned the structure by (1)H NMR and ESI-MS spectral data. The separation is dependent on the nature of the mobile phase, its flow rate and the nature of the HPLC column. The detection limit (signal/noise; S/N = 3) for both Thiram and its transformation product was 0.2 ppm. The method has been successfully applied to analysis of soil and soybean samples spiked with Thiram, its transformation product and a commercial sample containing these products.

Antifungal activity of CHE-23C, a dimeric sesquiterpene from Chloranthus henryi

An antifungal compound was isolated from methanol extracts of stems and roots of Chloranthus henryi Hemsl. using ethyl acetate extraction and various chromatographic techniques. On the basis of spectroscopic analyses including mass and various NMR, the structure of the compound was identified as a dimeric sesquiterpene, CHE-23C. The compound showed potent antifungal activities (MICs = 1-32 microg/mL) in vitro against various phytopathogenic fungi such as Alternaria kikuchiana , Botrytis cinerea , Colletotrichum lagenarium , Magnaporthe grisea , Pythium ultimum , and Phytophthora infestans . In particular, it exhibited 91 and 100% disease-control activity in vivo against tomato late blight (P. infestans) and wheat leaf rust ( Puccinia recondita ) at concentrations of 33 and 100 microg/mL, respectively. The disease-control activity of this compound was stronger than that of the commercially available fungicide chlorothalonil, but weaker than that of dimethomorph. Therefore, the compound might serve as an interesting lead to develop effective antifungal agents.

Toxicity of copper/dimethomorph combination for Lemna minor and depuration of the fungicides by aquatic plant

Runoff-water of Champagne vineyards is often collected in decantation ponds where pesticides may be eliminated before the water is transferred to rivers. In order to accelerate this process, Lemna minor was tested for its phytoremediation capacity. In the ponds several pesticides coexist. Therefore, the cross-influence of copper and dimethomorph, two pesticides frequently used on grape to control fungal diseases, was studied on toxicity and their removal by L. minor. The toxicity of copper and dimethomorph alone and in combination, was assessed by growth inhibition of L. minor cultures after 96 h and 168 h. Copper had a severe impact on growth (maximum inhibition: 90% at 1000 microg/L) while dimethomorph (as pure ingredient DMM(P) or formulated as Forum DMM(F)) did not (inhibition < 45% at 1000 microg/L) after 168 h of treatment. When both chemicals were combined, a synergistic effect was detected after 96 h of exposure to copper and DMM(F). However, this interaction tended towards additivity after 168 h. Additivity was also observed when DMM(P) replaced DMM(F) in the mixture of copper and dimethomorph at 96h00 and 168h00. The removal of copper depended on DMM(F) concentration. For example, with 250 microg/L of dimethomorph as Forum, removal of copper increased from 36 to 41%. Depuration of DMM(F) by L. minor varied between 10 and 40% after 96 h. This depuration decreased in the presence of copper possibly due to the metal toxicity.

Significance of the long-chain organic cation structure in the sorption of the penconazole and metalaxyl fungicides by organo clays

Sorption-desorption of two different hydrophobic fungicides, penconazole and metalaxyl, by a series of clay minerals layered and non-layered (montmorillonite, illite, kaolinite, muscovite, sepiolite and palygorskite) modified with the two-chain cationic surfactant, dihexadecyldimetylammonium (DHDDMA) was studied by first time in this work. DHDDMA-clays showed a good capacity to sorb both fungicides from water. Freundlich sorption constants (K(f)) increased 22-268-fold for penconazole and 4-112-fold for metalaxyl in relation to natural clays. High sorption irreversibility was observed for penconazole for all modified clays, while for metalaxyl this occurred only for some of the modified clays. Additionally, a comparative study of the sorption of the fungicides by clay minerals modified with organic cations of different structure was carried out by a statistical approach. Non-layered and layered clay minerals modified with the two-chain alkylammonium organic cation DHDDMA, and with single-chain organic cations octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA) and hexadecylpyridinium (HDPY) were used as sorbents. The study indicated a significant linear regression between the distribution coefficients K(d) of fungicides and the organic carbon (OC) content of the organo clays (r(2)>or=0.80, p<0.001). According to this sorption of fungicides by partition between the aqueous solution and the organic medium created by the alkyl chains of the exchanged ammonium cations regardless of the type and structure of these cations is suggested. However, linear relationships between K(d) values of each pesticide by the different organo clays and their relative OC contents revealed higher increase in sorption for HDPY-clays (penconazole) and for ODTMA-clays (metalaxyl) pointing out different effectiveness of the OC provided by each organic cation. These effects were also supported by the values of K(d) relative to OC, K(d)(oc). The results evidenced the different relative weight of alkyl cations to make organo clays effective barriers to prevent the mobility of pesticides from a point source of pollution.

[Determination of quinoxyfen residue in foodstuffs of plant and animal origins by high performance liquid chromatography]

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of quinoxyfen residue in various food matrixes including soybean, cauliflower, cherry, mushroom, wine, tea, honey, pork liver, chicken and eel. The analyte was extracted by ethyl acetate, and then purified with aminopropyl solid phase extraction (NH2 SPE) cartridge. Post-extraction gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used for animal (except honey) and fishery products prior to NH2 SPE cleanup. The average recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the analysis of all samples fortified in the range of 0.010 - 5.0 mg/kg were in the ranges of 82% - 96% and 3.2% - 11.8%, respectively. Good linearity was obtained in the concentration range from 0.050 to 50.0 mg/L. The limit of detection was 0.010 mg/kg. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of quinoxyfen residue in various food samples.

3-Acetonyl-3-hydroxyoxindole: a new inducer of systemic acquired resistance in plants

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is an inducible defence mechanism which plays a central role in protecting plants from microbial pathogen attack. Guided by bioassays, a new chemical inducer of SAR was isolated from the extracts of Strobilanthes cusia and identified to be 3-acetonyl-3-hydroxyoxindole (AHO), a derivative of isatin. Tobacco plants treated with AHO exhibited enhanced resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and to the fungal pathogen Erysiphe cichoracearum (powdery mildew), accompanied by increased levels of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (PR-1) expression, salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. To study the mode of action of AHO, its ability to induce PR-1 expression and TMV resistance in nahG transgenic plants expressing salicylate hydroxylase, which prevents the accumulation of SA, was analysed. AHO treatment did not induce TMV resistance or PR-1 expression in nahG transgenic plants, suggesting that AHO acts upstream of SA in the SAR signalling pathway. In addition, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry, five AHO-induced plant proteins were identified which were homologous to the effector proteins with which SA interacts. Our data suggest that AHO may represent a novel class of inducer that stimulates SA-mediated defence responses.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of an antifungal peptide from Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds

An antifungal peptide, Ay-AMP, was isolated from Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds by acidic extraction and then purified by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The molecular mass of this peptide, as determined by mass spectrometry, is 3184 Da. The peptide belongs to the superfamily of chitin-binding proteins, containing a single cysteine/glycine-rich chitin-binding domain, and it was found that Ay-AMP degrades chitin. Ay-AMP inhibits the growth, at very low doses, of different pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans, Trichoderma sp., Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus schraceus, and Alternaria alternata. Ay-AMP is very resistant to the effect of proteases and heating; however, it showed an antagonistic effect with CaCl2 and KCl.

Biological evaluation of neopeptins isolated from a Streptomyces strain

BACKGROUND

Microbial secondary metabolites are a rich source of antifungal agents and have merit as alternatives to synthetic fungicides. To develop disease control agents against powdery mildew, the lipopeptide antibiotic neopeptins were identified from the culture broth of a Streptomyces sp., and in vivo control efficacy of the compounds was evaluated on cucumber plants under glasshouse conditions.

RESULTS

The Streptomyces sp. KNF2047 antagonistic against powdery mildew development in cucumber plants was isolated from a soil sample. Antifungal compounds were purified from the culture broth and identified as neopeptin A and B. In vitro microtitre assays revealed the inhibitory activities of the compounds in the range 128-512 microg mL(-1) against the mycelial growth of Alternaria mali, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Didimella bryoniae and Magnaporthe grisea. Although neither compound showed remarkable in vitro antifungal activity against other plant pathogenic fungi, a mixture of neopeptins (484 mg of neopeptin A and 290 mg of neopeptin B per gram of partially purified powder) showed potent protective and curative activity against cucumber powdery mildew in vivo. The disease control activity of the neopeptins at a concentration of 2.4 mg L(-1) was 92.1%, which was similar to that of the commercial fungicide fenarimol (89.3% at 63 mg L(-1)) and that of the commercial biocontrol agent Actinovate (67.4% at 2 x 10(7) cfu L(-1)).

CONCLUSION

Neopeptin mixtures isolated from Streptomyces sp. KNF2047 showed potent disease control activity against powdery mildew development on cucumber plants. .

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Arnica longifolia, Aster hesperius, and Chrysothamnus nauseosus essential oils

Essential oils from three different Asteraceae obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Main compounds obtained from each taxon were found as follows: Arnica longifolia carvacrol 37.3%, alpha-bisabolol 8.2%; Aster hesperius hexadecanoic acid 29.6%, carvacrol 15.2%; and Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. nauseosus beta-phellandrene 22.8% and beta-pinene 19.8%. Essential oils were also evaluated for their antimalarial and antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, and antifungal activities against plant pathogens. No antimalarial and antimicrobial activities against human pathogens were observed. Direct bioautography demonstrated antifungal activity of the essential oils obtained from three Asteraceae taxa and two pure compounds, carvacrol and beta-bisabolol, to the plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides. Subsequent evaluation of antifungal compounds using a 96-well micro-dilution broth assay indicated that alpha-bisabolol showed weak growth inhibition of the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea after 72 h.

In vitro antifungal activity of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil and its major components against plant pathogens

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO) and its principal components on four cereal-pathogenic fungi.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antimycotic properties of TTO and of terpinen-4-ol, gamma-terpinen and 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) were evaluated in vitro on Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Pyrenophora graminea. Moreover, barley leaves infected with Blumeria graminis were treated with whole TTO. All the tested fungi were susceptible to TTO and its components.

CONCLUSIONS

TTO exerted a wide spectrum of antimycotic activity. Single TTO purified components were more active than the whole oil in reducing in vitro growth of fungal mycelium and, among the tested compounds, terpinen-4-ol was the most effective.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

TTO and its components can be considered potential alternative natural fungicides.

Purification and characterization of an antifungal protein, C-FKBP, from Chinese cabbage

An antifungal protein was isolated from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis) by buffer-soluble extraction and two chromatographic procedures. The results of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry revealed that the isolated Chinese cabbage protein was identical to human FK506-binding protein (FKBP). A cDNA encoding FKBP was isolated from a Chinese cabbage leaf cDNA library and named C-FKBP. The open reading frame of the gene encoded a 154-amino acid polypeptide. The amino acid sequence of C-FKBP exhibits striking degrees of identity with the corresponding mouse (61%), human (60%), and yeast (56%) proteins. Genomic Southern blot analyses using the full-length C-FKBP cDNA probe revealed a multigene family in the Chinese cabbage genome. The C-FKBP mRNA was highly expressed in vegetative tissues. We also analyzed the antifungal and peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity of recombinant C-FKBP protein expressed in Escherichia coli. This protein inhibited pathogenic fungal strains, including Candida albicans, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, and Trichoderma viride, whereas it exhibited no activity against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results suggest that recombinant C-FKBP is an excellent candidate as a lead compound for the development of antifungal agents.

Efficacy of plant extracts against stored-products fungi

The fungistatic activity of six aqueous extracts of plants were tested against Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium culmorum. The plants were, chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl.), French lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), malva (Malva sylvestris L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). The more concentrated extracts of chamomile and malva inhibited totally the growth of the tested fungi with malva the most effective one.

Enantiomeric separation of several antimycotic azole drugs using supercritical fluid chromatography

The chiral resolution of four antifungal compounds, three imidazoles (miconazole, econazole and sulconazole) and one triazole (itraconazole) using supercritical fluid chromatography on the amylose-based chiral stationary phase Chiralpak AD, is presented in this work. The influence of pressure, type and percentage of organic modifier and temperature on retention times and resolution was studied. The enantiomeric separation of the three imidazoles was achieved with resolutions higher than two and analysis times lower than 10 min, obtaining the best results using methanol as modifier. However, the analysis time of the triazole was higher than 80 min due to the existence of a high number of functional groups that were able to interact with the chiral stationary phase. In this case, the resolution of the four stereoisomers was achieved only partially with mixtures of ethanol and 2-propanol as modifier. The isoenantioselective temperatures were obtained from the study of the influence of the temperature, they were above the range of temperatures assayed, except for sulconazole using 2-propanol.

Effects of a chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds on bean bruchid pests (Callosobruchus maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus) and phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani and Colletrichum lindemuntianum)

Chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds was purified by ammonium sulfate followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl 300-SH and on Sephacryl 200-SH. The vicilin, called EcV, is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of 1.03% carbohydrates and a Mr of 151 kDa, consisting of two subunits of Mr of 66.2 and 63.8 kDa. The EcV homogeneity was confirmed in a PAGE where it was observed to be a unique acid protein band with slow mobility in this native gel. E. contortisiliquum vicilin (EcV) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae and for phytopathogenic fungi, F. solani and C. lindemuntianum. EcV was very effective against both bruchids, producing 50% mortality for Z. subfasciatus at an LD50 of 0.43% and affected 50% of the larvae mass with an ED50 of 0.65%. In artificial diets given to C. maculatus, 50% of the larvae mass was affected with an ED50 of 1.03%, and larva mortality was 50% at LD50 of 1.11%. EcV was not digested by midgut homogenates of C. maculatus and Z. Subfasciatus until 12 h of incubation, and at 24 h EcV was more resistant to Z. subfasciatus larval proteases. The binding to chitin present in larvae gut associated to low EcV digestibility could explain its lethal effects. EcV also exerted an inhibitory effect on the germination of F. solani at concentrations of 10 and 20 microg mL-1. The effect of EcV on fungi is possibly due to binding to chitin-containing structures of the fungal cell wall.

Removal of pesticides from white wine by the use of fining agents and filtration

The effects of four clarification agents (bentonite, charcoal, PVPP and potassium caseinate) on the removal of residues of three fungicides (famoxadone, fluquinconazole and trifloxystrobin) applied directly to a racked white wine, elaborated from Airen variety grapes from the D.O. Region of Jumilla (Murcia, Spain) are studied. The clarified wines were filtered with 0.45 microm nylon filters to determine the influence of this winemaking process in the disappearance of fungicide residues. Hydro-alcoholic solutions with the three fungicides at concentrations of 1 and 2 ppm were then added through intense stirring to each of the containers. Two hours later, the corresponding clarifying agent was added with intense stirring for some minutes. The containers were then sealed and left to settle for five days. Once the clean wines had been racked, they were filtered through nylon 0.45 microm pore filters. All assays were performed three times. Analytical determination of fluquinconazole and trifloxystrobin was performed by gas chromatography with an electron captor detector (ECD), while that of famoxadone was made using an HPLC-DAD. For the three fungicides, the highest elimination is produced with the clarification by charcoal, reaching Levels of removal of 100% in all cases. For the four clarifying agents, the highest elimination is produced for the fluquinconazole residues. The fungicide which is retained most in the lees is famoxadone, since it has the lowest solubility of the three pesticides studied. The highest percentage of residues in the lees is obtained for the assay with charcoal. The filtration process of the clarified wines using the four agents studied is not effective, since the elimination percentage is generally lower than 10% of the initial residues in the non-clarified wines.

Determination of benzimidazole fungicides in soil samples using microwave-assisted micellar extraction and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple and fast analytical method was developed for the determination of benzimidazole fungicides (benomyl, carbendazim, thiabendazole, and fuberidazole) in soil samples. The analytes were extracted from the soil samples by means of conventional microwave-assisted extraction, using the non-ionic surfactants polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) and oligoethylene glycol monooalkyl ether (Genapol X-080) as extractants. Determinations were made by using liquid chromatography with direct fluorescence detection. The use of an analytical column Symmetry C-18 offered short retention times of analytes without the need of any pH regulators with mobile phase methanol-water (50 + 50, v/v). The best results were obtained using 5% (v/v) POLE as extractant with recoveries of the fungicides in spiked soil samples between 71 and 105%. The results were compared with those obtained when Soxhlet extraction was applied to the same soil samples.

Major secondary metabolites produced by two commercial Trichoderma strains active against different phytopathogens

AIMS

Trichoderma harzianum strains T22 and T39 are two micro-organisms used as active agents in a variety of commercial biopesticides and biofertilizers and widely applied amongst field and greenhouse crops. The production, isolation, biological and chemical characterization of the main secondary metabolites produced by these strains are investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of the three major compounds produced by strain T22, one is a new azaphilone that shows marked in vitro inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. In turn, filtrates from strain T39 were demonstrated to contain two compounds previously isolated from other T. harzianum strains and a new butenolide. The production of the isolated metabolites was also monitored by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry during in vitro interaction with R. solani.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper reports the isolation and characterization of the main secondary metabolites obtained from culture filtrates of two T. harzianum strains and their production during antagonistic interaction with the pathogen R. solani.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first work on secondary metabolites produced by the commercially applied strains T22 and T39. Our results provide a better understanding of the metabolism of these fungi, which are both widely used as biopesticides and/or biofertilizers in biocontrol.

Comparative enantioseparation of seven triazole fungicides on (S,S)-Whelk O1 and four different cellulose derivative columns

The comparative enantioseparation of seven chiral triazole fungicides on a Pirkle type (S,S)-Whelk O1 chiral column and four different cellulose derivative columns, namely cellulose tribenzoate (CTB), cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate) (CTMB), cellulose triphenylcarbamate (CTPC), and cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) (CDMPC), in normal phase mode is described. The seven triazole fungicides investigated were tebuconazole, hexaconazole, myclobutanil, diniconazole, uniconazole, paclobutrazol, and triadimenol. The chiral separation of each solute was investigated with ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, and n-butanol, respectively, as polar modifier in the hexane mobile phase. The results revealed that (S,S)-Whelk O1 was less than universal and only hexaconazole and triadimenol underwent enantioseparation. Among the self-prepared cellulose derivative columns used, the enantiomeric resolution capacities for the studied analytes generally decreased in the order CDMPC > CTPC > CTMB > CTB. The best enantioseparation of the analytes was mostly obtained on CDMPC and none of them were enantioseparated on CTB. The chiral recognition mechanisms between the analytes and the chiral selectors are discussed.

The excellence of Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) in its use as building materials of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines

Five hinokitiol-related compounds (hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin, 4-acetyltropolone and alpha -thujaplicin) isolated from the acid oil of Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var hondai MAKINO) showed clear antifungal activity against wood-rotting fungi. These compounds have obvious insecticidal effects on termites. They also exhibited potent acaricidal activity against mites. The above-mentioned features suggest that Konjiki-do, a well known national treasure, one of the buildings in Chuson-ji Temple of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, which was built of wood from the tree containing these five compounds, was kept from harm against noxious insects and wood-rotting fungi for a long time of about 840 years, until it was extensively repaired in 1962. In addition to Konjiki-do, there are some old famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines using Aomori Hiba. From the results, it was found that Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) is excellent for use as building materials.

Dehydro-alpha-lapachone isolated from Catalpa ovata stems: activity against plant pathogenic fungi

The methanol extract of stems of Catalpa ovata G Don exhibits potent in vivo antifungal activity against Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr (rice blast) on rice plants, Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr (tomato grey mould) and Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary (tomato late blight) on tomato plants, Puccinia recondita Rob ex Desm (wheat leaf rust) on wheat plants and Blumeria graminis (DC) Speer f. sp. hordei Marchal (barley powdery mildew) on barley plants. An antifungal substance was isolated and identified as dehydro-alpha-lapachone from mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. It completely inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Simmonds, M. grisea and Pythium ultimum Trow over a range of 0.4-33.3 mg litre(-1). It also controlled the development of rice blast, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, barley powdery mildew and red pepper anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr) S Hughes). The chemical was particularly effective in suppressing red pepper anthracnose by 95% at a concentration of 125 mg litre(-1).

[Endophytic bacteria isolated from wheat and their antifungal activities to soil-borne disease pathogens]

In this paper, endophytic bacteria (EB) were isolated from the roots, stems, leaves and immature seeds of wheat at its different growth stages. The EB populations in fresh wheat tissues reached 5.0 x 10(5) CFU x g(-1) on average, with a significant difference among different tissues, growth stages and fields. The EB count was 7.8 x 10(5) in wheat roots, 4.8 x 10(5) in stems, 3.2 x 10(5) in leaves, and 2.8 x 10(5) CFU x g(-1) in immature seeds, and was estimated as 3.1 x 10(5), 5.7 x 10(5) and 7.0 x 10(5) CFU x g(-1) at seedling, elongation and filling stages, respectively. A total of 51 antifungal EB isolates were trapped by the wheat pathogenic fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis, and 45 by Rhizoctonia cerealis. Among them, 78 isolates showed antifungal activities in vitro. A total of 23 isolates from roots (6), stems (7), leaves (9) and immature seeds (1) were highly inhibitory to the mycelial growth of G. graminis var. tritici, with the diameters of their inhibition zone exceeding 10 mm. The other twenty isolates from different plant parts were also active against R. cereali. It was revealed that higher ratios of EB isolates with high antifungal activities were found in leaves, as compared with stems, roots and immature seeds.

Enantiomeric resolution of chiral pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography

Successful enantiomeric separation of 10 chiral pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using cellulose-tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (CDMPC) chiral stationary phase (CSP) was performed. The mobile phase was n-hexane modified by ethanol, propanol, 2-propanol (IPA), butanol, or isobutanol. The effects of mobile phase composition and column temperature on the separation were investigated. Baseline separation was obtained with ethofumesate, fluroxypyr-meptyl, malathion, benalaxyl, diclofop-methyl, methamidophos, vinclozolin, and lactofen, whereas near baseline separation was obtained with profenofos and acetochlor. Butanol was the best modifier for benalaxyl; isobutanol was the best modifier for lactofen, malathion, diclofop-methyl, and ethofumesate; and IPA was the best modifier for the other five. Better separations were not always at low temperature. The elution orders of the eluting enantiomers were determined by a circular dichroism (CD) detector. The quantitative analysis methods for the enantiomers of ethofumesate, benalaxyl, and diclofop-methyl were established. Validation parameters include linearity, precision, and limit of detection (LOD). The enantiomeric residual analysis procedures in soil and water samples were also developed using acetone extraction and C(18) solid phase extraction. The methods were reliable for residual analysis of the enantiomers.

Antifungal activity of thiophenes from Echinops ritro

Extracts from 30 plants of the Greek flora were evaluated for their antifungal activity using direct bioautography assays with three Colletotrichum species. Among the bioactive extracts, the dichloromethane extract of the radix of Echinops ritro (Asteraceae) was the most potent. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of eight thiophenes. Antifungal activities of isolated compounds together with a previously isolated thiophene from Echinops transiliensis were first evaluated by bioautography and subsequently evaluated in greater detail using a broth microdilution assay against plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomopsis viticola, and Phomopsis obscurans. 5'-(3-Buten-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithiophen (1), alpha-terthienyl (2), and 2-[pent-1,3-diynyl]-5-[4-hydroxybut-1-ynyl]thiophene (5) at 3 and 30 microM were active against all three Colletotrichum species, F. oxysporum, P. viticola, and P. obscurans.

The direct chiral separations of fungicide enantiomers on amylopectin based chiral stationary phase by HPLC

Amylopectin-tris(phenylcarbamate) was synthesized and coated to aminopropylsilica to prepare chiral stationary phase. The chiral separations of fungicide enantiomers were performed by the CSP using high-performance liquid chromatography. Mobile phase was n-hexane and isopropanol, and flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. Detection wavelength was 230 nm. The influence of the percentage of isopropanol in the mobile phase on the separations was studied. Twelve chiral fungicides were tested and seven of them were found to show stereoselectivity on the CSP. The enantiomers of metalaxyl and benalaxyl got near baseline separations and myclobutanil, hexconazole, tebuconazole, uniconazole, and paclobutrazol enantiomers were completely separated. The decreasing percentage of isopropanol in the mobile phase resulted in better separation and longer analysis time. The enantiomers were identified by a circular dichroism (CD) detector and the CD spectra of the individual enantiomers were also studied by online scanning.

[Researches and applications on pesticides from Chinese medicine plant origin]

The research progress on Chinese medicine plant resources with pesticide activities, the active components and their reaction mechanism as well as the application and prospect were reviewed in this paper. Some proposals on the exploitation of traditional Chinese medicine plant origin pesticide were given. It is suggested to found compounds with pesticide activities from heat clearing and toxic clearing medicinal plants.

Enantiomer Separation of a Novel Aminothiazolecarboxamide Fungicide Using Polysaccharide-Derived Chiral Stationary Phases

The direct enantioseparation of a novel aminothiazolecarboxamide fungicide, ethaboxam, on polysaccharide-derived chiral stationary phases (CSPs) is described. Good resolution is achieved with several polysaccharide-derived CSPs. Chiralcel OD (OD-H) and Chiralpak AS are excellent for direct enantiomer separation of ethaboxam. The elution behavior and the effects of eluent composition on the resolution of ethaboxam are also investigated. Furthermore, the mechanism for chiral recognition using molecular mechanics is discussed.

Isolation and identification of antifungal and antialgal alkaloids from Haplophyllum sieversii

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the hexane/ethyl acetate/water (H/EtOAc/H2O) crude extract of the aerial parts of Haplophyllum sieversii was performed because of preliminary screening data that indicated the presence of growth inhibitory components against Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Colletotrichum acutatum. Fractionation was directed using bioautographical methods resulting in the isolation of the bioactive alkaloids flindersine, anhydroevoxine, haplamine, and a lignan eudesmin. These four compounds were evaluated for activity against C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, C. acutatum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Phomopsis obscurans in a dose-response growth-inhibitory bioassay at 50.0, 100.0, and 150.0 microM. Of the four compounds tested, flindersine demonstrated the highest level of antifungal activity. Additionally, flindersine, eudesmin, and haplamine were screened against the freshwater phytoplanktons Oscillatoria perornata, Oscillatoria agardhii, Selenastrum capricornutum, and Pseudanabaena sp. (strain LW397). Haplamine demonstrated selective inhibition against the odor-producing cyanobacterium O. perornata compared to the activity against the green alga S. capricornutum, with lowest observed effect concentration values of 1.0 and 10.0 microM, respectively.

Isolation and antifungal activity of kakuol, a propiophenone derivative from Asarum sieboldii rhizome

An antifungal substance active against Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk & Mont) Arx was isolated from the methanol extracts of Asarum sieboldii (Miq) Maek rhizomes. High-resolution MS, NMR and UV spectral data confirmed that the antifungal substance is kakuol, 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone. Colletotrichum orbiculare was most sensitive to kakuol, with MIC of 10 microg ml(-1). Kakuol also completely inhibited the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr and Cladosporium cucumerinum Ellis & Arthur at 50 microg ml(-1) and 30 microg ml(-1), respectively. However, no antimicrobial activity was found against yeast and bacteria even at 100 microg ml(-1). Kakuol exhibited a protective activity against the development of anthracnose disease on cucumber plants. The control efficacy of kakuol against the anthracnose disease was in general somewhat less than that of the commercial fungicide chlorothalonil. This is the first report to demonstrate in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of kakuol against C. orbiculare infection.

Effects of clarification and filtration processes on the removal of fungicide residues in red wines (var. Monastrell)

The effects of six clarification agents (egg albumin, blood albumin, bentonite plus gelatin, charcoal, PVPP, and silica gel) on the removal of residues of four fungicides (cyprodinil, fludioxonil, pyrimethanil, and quinoxyfen) applied directly to a racked red wine, elaborated from Monastrell variety grapes from the D.O. region of Jumilla (Murcia, Spain), are studied. The clarified wines were filtered with 0.45 microm nylon filters to determine the influence of this winemaking process in the disappearance of fungicide residues. Analytical determination of cyprodinil, fludioxonil and pyrimethanil was performed by gas chromatography with an alkaline thermoionic detector (NPD), whereas that of quinoxyfen using an electron captor detector (ECD). In general, and for all of the fungicides except quinoxyfen, blood albumin has proved to be the most effective clarifying agent in the removal of residues, whereas silica gel proved to be ineffective against all of the pesticides with the exception of fludioxonil. Quinoxyfen is the least persistent fungicide in the clarified wines and that which appears with highest frequency in the lees. In general, filtration is not an effective step in the elimination of wine residues. The greatest elimination after filtration is obtained in wines clarified with charcoal and the lowest in those clarified with PVPP.

Activity in vitro and in vivo against plant pathogenic fungi of grifolin isolated from the basidiomycete Albatrellus dispansus

In the course of screening for novel naturally occurring fungicides from mushrooms in Yunnan province, China, the ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Albatrellus dispansus was found to show antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. The active compound was isolated from the fruiting bodies of A. dispansus by bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract and identified as grifolin by IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis. Its antifungal activities were evaluated in vitro against 9 plant pathogenic fungi and in vivo against the plant disease of Erysiphe graminis. In vitro, Sclerotinina sclerotiorum and Fusarium graminearum were the most sensitive fungi to grifolin, and their mycelial growth inhibition were 86.4 and 80.9% at 304.9 microM, respectively. Spore germination of F. graminearum, Gloeosporium fructigenum and Pyricularia oryzae was almost completely inhibited by 38.1microM grifolin. In vivo, the curative effect of grifolin against E. graminis was 65.5% at 304.9 microM after 8 days.

Antifungal synergistic effect of scopoletin, a hydroxycoumarin isolated from Melia azedarach L. fruits

In the continuous search for antifungal compounds from plants, the hydroxycoumarin scopoletin (1) was isolated from seed kernels of Melia azedarach L. from which three other compounds, vanillin (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3), and (+/-) pinoresinol (4), have also been isolated. Guided fractionation through autobiography on TLC using Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg as test organism led to the isolation of 1, which exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.50 mg/mL in the microbroth dilution method. Despite its own weak activity, when the coumarin was combined with the above-mentioned compounds, a strong enhancement of the antifungal effect was observed, even showing a complete inhibition in the growth of the pathogen when 1 was added at a concentration of up to 5% of its MIC value. The same level of effectiveness was observed when the synthetic antifungal agents Mancozeb and Carboxin were each combined with compounds 1-4, in which cases it became possible to decrease the effective concentrations of these commercial compounds by up to 2.5 and 3%, respectively.

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Teucrium marum (Lamiaceae)

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Teucrium marum subsp. marum (Lamiaceae) was analysed by GC/MS and 30 components were identified. Isocaryophyllene (20.24%), beta-bisabolene (14.73%), beta-sesquiphellandrene (11.27%), alpha-santalene (10.97%), dolichodial (9.38%) and, alpha-caryophyllene (7.18%) were the main components. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed against four phytopathogenic fungi and Rhyzoctonia solani resulted to be the most sensitive microorganism with a MIC value of 250 ppm. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH test, 5-lipoxygenase test and luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence assay.