Three highly oxygenated caryophyllene sesquiterpenes from Pestalotiopsis sp., a fungus isolated from bark of Pinus taeda

A Pestalotiopis sp. was isolated from the trunk bark of Pinus taeda. The fungus was cultivated in liquid medium and produced three highly oxygenated caryophyllene sequiterpene derivatives, named pestalotiopsolide A, taedolidol and 6-epitaedolidol, respectively. The sesquiterpenes were isolated by silica gel based chromatographic procedures and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic data.     

Endophytic fungi as a source of biofuel precursors

Endophytic fungi, isolated from a number of different species of tropical plants, were investigated for lipid biodiesel precursor production. The extracts produced from liquid cultures of these fungi were subjected to acidcatalyzed transesterification reactions with methanol producing methyl esters and then analyzed through chromatographic (GC-FID) and spectrometric techniques (MS, NMR 1H). The European Standard Method, EN 14103, was used for the quantification of methyl esters extracted from the fungi of the species and genera studied. Xylariaceous fungi exhibited the highest concentrations of methyl esters (91%), and hence may be a promising source for biofuel.     

Larvicidal effects of fungal Meroterpenoids in the control of Aedes aegypti L., the main vector of dengue and Yellow fever

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is an increasing problem of public health, being the vector responsible for dengue and Yellow Fever in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this work was to determine the potential larvicidal activity of a series of meroterpenoids, compounds 1-7, previously obtained fungal secondary metabolites from Penicillium sp., against the third-instar larvae of A. aegypti. The lethal concentrations (LC(50) and LC(90)) of 1-7 were evaluated 24 h after exposure. Dehydroaustin (4) was the most active meroterpenoid in the series, with an LC(50) value of 2.9 ppm, making it an attractive natural insecticide.     

Endophytic fungi from Melia azedarach

A collection of endophytic fungi was obtained from living apparently symptomless roots, stems, leaves and fruits of Melia azedarach. This is an exotic tree introduced into Brazil from Asia and is a producer of insecticidal compounds. It grows very well and is apparently resistant to many pathogens. Each segment from the plant was sampled during two periods. A total of 55 fungal isolates were recovered. Hyphomycetes were more prevalent than Ascomycetes, Coelomycetes and Basidiomycetes. The genera Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most common in the plant.     

Meroterpenes from Penicillium sp found in association with Melia azedarach

A Penicillium sp was isolated from the root bark of Melia azedarach and cultivated over sterilized rice. After chromatographic procedures, two meroterpenes, named preaustinoid A and B, were obtained in addition to the known alkaloid verruculogen. Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic studies, and they exhibited moderate bacteriostatic effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus sp.     

Oxidative potential of some endophytic fungi using 1-indanone as a substrate

The oxidative potential of the fungus Penicillium brasilianum, a strain isolated as an endophyte from a Meliaceae plant (Melia azedarach), was investigated using 1-indanone as a substrate to track the production of monooxygenases. The fungus produced the dihydrocoumarin from 1-indanone with the classical Baeyer-Villiger reaction regiochemistry, and (-)-(R)-3-hydroxy-1-indanone with 78% ee. Minor compounds resulting from lipase and SAM activities were also detected. The biotransformation procedures were also applied to a collection of Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi obtained from M. azedarach and Murraya paniculata. The results showed that Baeyer-Villiger were mostly active in fungi isolated from M. azedarach. Almost all of the fungi tested produced 3-hydroxy-1-indanone..     

A saponin tolerant and glycoside producer xylariaceous fungus isolated from fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sapindus saponaria</Emphasis>

The plant Sapindus saponaria is a good producer of terpenoidal and sesquiterpenoidal saponins, which are accumulated in its fruits. Although saponins usually act as antifungal compounds, a fungus was found living on the internal part of its pericarp. Tentative identification of the fungus, based on micro and macro-morphological aspects inspection, as well as on the secondary metabolite production, suggested the fungus to be a Xylariaceous microorganism. When the fungus is placed in contact with glycosides extracted from the host plant, or exogenous glycosides and other terpenoid compounds, it showed ability to transform them in another compounds. Analysis of these products using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that these biotransformations are mainly monohydroxylation and glycosilation. These findings contrasts most of the reports found in the literature which shows that hydrolysis at sugar chain are frequently observed during glycoside biotransformation by fungi.     

Further meroterpenes produced by Penicillium sp., an endophyte obtained from Melia azedarach

From the methanol extract of Penicillium sp. cultivated on sterilized rice for three weeks we isolated three new meroterpenes preaustinoid A1, A2 and B1. The fungus was isolated from the root bark of Melia azedarach after surface sterilization. The structures of these compounds were identified by intensive spectroscopic studies.