A novel (6S)-4,6-dimethyldodeca-2E,4E-dienoyl ester of phomalactone and related alpha-pyrone esters from a Phomopsis sp. with cytokine production inhibitory activity

Phomalactone optimization and production of entomopathogenic fungi by Ophiocordyceps communis BCC 1842 and BCC 2763

Phomalactone, an antibacterial, insecticidal, and herbicidal compound, was produced by insect pathogenic fungi, Ophiocordyceps communis BCC 1842 and BCC 2763, in bioreactors using different carbon and nitrogen sources. Glucose and fructose were preferable for growth and phomalactone production. The highest specific growth rate (μ) of 0.012 hr(-1), the highest biomass yield (Ysx) of 0.38 g DW g(-1) sugar, the highest volumetric sugar consumption rate (qs) of 0.036 g (L hr)(-1), the maximum phomalactone concentration ([Formula: see text]) of 93.30 mg L(-1) at 127 hr, and the highest volumetric production rate of phomalactone (qp) of 0.46 ± 0.12 mg (L d)(-1) were obtained on glucose and sodium nitrate as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, by O. communis BCC 1842. In contrast, O. communis BCC 2763 gave lower phomalactone production. This mass phomalactone production is useful for the biological synthesis of a precursor for more broad-range potent analogs such as antitumor, antifungal, and others and for its further biological studies.

Cytotoxic pentacyclic and tetracyclic aromatic sesquiterpenes from Phomopsis archeri

Three new sesquiterpenes, named phomoarcherins A-C (1-3), and four known compounds, kampanol A (4), R-mevalonolactone, ergosterol, and ergosterol peroxide, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis archeri. These structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of its p-bromobenzoate derivative (1a). Compounds 1-4 showed cytotoxicity against five cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (0.1-19.6 μg/mL), while 1 and 2 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against the KB cell line with IC(50) values of 42.1 and 9.4 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, compound 2 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with an IC(50) value of 0.79 μg/mL.

Metabolites from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. PSU-D15

From the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. PSU-D15, three metabolites named as phomoenamide (1), phomonitroester (2) and deacetylphomoxanthone B (3), were isolated together with three known compounds, dicerandrol A (4), (1S,2S,4S)-p-menthane-1,2,4-triol (5) and uridine. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Phomoenamide (1) exhibited moderate in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra.

Scale-up of filamentous organisms from tubes and shake-flasks into stirred vessels

The choice of small-scale fermentation systems contributes significantly to a successful scale-up. Creasing of flasks and the chosen shaker parameters influence the production of secondary metabolites in a strain- and even compound-specific manner. Using actinomycetes and fungi as model organisms the influence of the small-scale fermentation system on the production of various secondary metabolites is described and the effects on screening success and scale-up are considered.