Botcinolide: A Biologically Active Natural Product from Botrytis cinerea

A novel biologically active natural product was isolated from a strain of Botrytis cinerea found on cultivated raspberry fruit (Rubus ideaus) upon fermentation in a liquid medium. Following a bioassay-directed purification process, the final product was an amorphous solid with the molecular formula C₂₀H₃₄O₈, and is trivially named botcinolide. It significantly inhibited etiolated wheat coleoptile growth at 10^?3 and 10^?4 M by 100 and 82% respectively, relative to the controls. Greenhouse-grown bean, corn, and tobacco plants were affected by treating with botcinolide, and exhibited chlorosis and severe necrosis at 10^?2 and 10^?3 M. The structure is a new hydroxylated nonalactone that is esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-octenoic acid.