De novo production of (+)-aristolochene by sporulated surface cultures of Penicillium roqueforti

The de novo production of the fungal metabolite, (+)-aristolochene by sporulated surface cultures of Penicillium roqueforti is reported for the first time. The biosynthesis of fungal volatiles by various sporulated surface cultures was monitored by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). When comparing malt extract agar with sabouraud dextrose agar, the highest yield of the fungal metabolite (0.04 mg/ml of culture) was obtained with the latter medium. The biosynthesis of (+)-aristolochene showed a maximum during the fourth day after inoculation.