Isoshamixanthone: a new pyrano xanthone from endophytic Aspergillus sp. ASCLA and absolute configuration of epiisoshamixanthone

Abstract

Isoshamixanthone (1), a new stereoisomeric pyrano xanthone together with the previously known fungal metabolites, epiisoshamixanthone (2), sterigmatocystin (3), arugosin C (4), norlichexanthone (5), diorcinol (6), ergosterol and methyllinoleate, were obtained from the endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus sp. ASCLA isolated from leaf tissues of the medicinal plant Callistemon subulatus. The chemical structure of the new xanthone (1) was elucidated by extensive 1D, 2D NMR, and ESI HR mass measurements, and by comparison with literature data. The constitutions and absolute configurations of 1 and epiisoshamixanthone (2) were additionally confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1,2 were evaluated for their potential anticancer activity using the human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1). The antimicrobial activities of the fungal extract and compounds 1,2 were studied using a panel of pathogenic microorganisms as well.     

Conoideoxime A,antibacterial bis-oxime prenyl-tryptophan dimer from the whitefly pathogenic fungus Conoideocrella luteorostrata BCC 76664

Conoideoxime A (1), a prenyl-tryptophan dimer possessing bis-oxime functionality, was isolated from cultures of the whitefly pathogenic fungus Conoideocrella luteorostrata BCC 76664. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. It displayed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 3.13, 6.25, and 6.25?μg/mL, respectively.     

Verbenanone,an octahydro-5H-chromen-5-one from a Hawaiian-plant associated fungus FT431

Verbenanone (1), a new secondary metabolite with a unique (4aS,8aS)-octahydro-5H-chromen-5-one moiety has been obtained from the endophytic fungus FT431, which was isolated from the native Hawaiian plant Verbena sp. The structure of compound 1 was characterized based on NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration (AC) of compound 1 was determined by Mosher acids. Compound 1 was tested against A2780 and A2780cisR, but it was inactive.     

Protease Production by Different Thermophilic Fungi

A comparative study was carried out to evaluate protease production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) by nine different thermophilic fungi – Thermoascus aurantiacus Miehe, Thermomyces lanuginosus, T. lanuginosus TO.03, Aspergillus flavus 1.2, Aspergillus sp. 13.33, Aspergillus sp. 13.34, Aspergillus sp. 13.35, Rhizomucor pusillus 13.36 and Rhizomucor sp. 13.37 – using substrates containing proteins to induce enzyme secretion. Soybean extract (soybean milk), soybean flour, milk powder, rice, and wheat bran were tested. The most satisfactory results were obtained when using wheat bran in SSF. The fungi that stood out in SSF were T. lanuginosus, T. lanuginosus TO.03, Aspergillus sp. 13.34, Aspergillus sp. 13.35, and Rhizomucor sp. 13.37, and those in SmF were T. aurantiacus, T. lanuginosus TO.03, and 13.37. In both fermentation systems, A. flavus 1.2 and R. pusillus 13.36 presented the lowest levels of proteolytic activity.     

Penicillilactone A,a novel antibacterial 7-membered lactone derivative from the sponge-associated fungus Penicillium sp. LS54

One novel 7-membered lactone derivative, penicillilactone A (1), together with two known compounds, rugulosin A (2) and rugulosin (3) were isolated from the sponge-derived fungus Penicillium sp. LS54. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Remarkably, penicillilactone A (1) is the first natural product containing a 7-membered lactone ring fused with a furan core. Penicillilactone A (1) exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against aquatic pathogen Vibrio harveyi with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL.     

Characterization of foxing stains in early twentieth century photographic and paper materials

Abstract

The subject of this present work is a group of nine historical pictures shot in Palermo by the Sicilian photographer E. Interguglielmi in 1912. They are nine matte-collodion prints mounted on the original cardboard supports and all of them show foxing stains affecting the paper surface. In order to characterise the chemical composition of the supports and investigate foxing spots, non-destructive and micro-destructive analysis were carried out. X-rays fluorescence (XRF) analysis was used to characterise the elemental composition of all the mounting boards, allowing a comparison between the foxing spots and non-affected areas. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was used to investigate the presence of lower atomic number elements, not detectable by XRF, while SEM imaging allowed the investigation of surface appearance and nature of original paper samples from the cardboards.     

Metabolites of the marine fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Humicola fuscoatra</Emphasis> KMM 4629

A new sesquiterpene of the caryophyllene series, fuscoatrol A (1), and known compounds, 11-epiterpestacin (2) and -nitropropionic acid (3), were isolated from the marine fungus Humicola fuscoatra (Traaen) KMM 4629 associated with the Kuril colonial ascidium. The structure of 1 was established on the basis of X-ray diffraction data and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–3 were studied.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2534–2537, November, 2004.     

Influence of media nutrients on synthesis of lignin peroxidase from Aspergillus sp

The effect of carbon and nitrogen sources, lignocellulosic substrates, and metal ions on lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity of Aspergillus sp., which was isolated from a mangrove area, was studied. Glucose (1%) was found to be the best carbon source. Among the various lignocellulosic substrates used, coir pith at 3% concentration increased LiP activity twofold on the second day of incubation. Peptone and KNO₃ completely inhibited the enzyme synthesis while (NH₄)₂SO₄ at 12.5 mM produced maximum activity. Since seawater contained all the requisite metal ions, any added ions had a negative effect on activity. Cu²⁺ had the most inhibiting effect while K⁺ the least. When all the optimized conditions were provided, in nitrogen- and carbon-sufficient medium, a maximum LiP activity of 345 U/mL was obtained on the second day of incubation.     

Fatty-acid composition of certain species of marine mycelial fungi

The fatty-acid composition of seven strains of marine mycelial fungi was studied. GC and GC—MS showed that marine fungi of the genus Penicillium synthesized fatty-acid mixtures of saturated and unsaturated acids of similar compositions with different percent contents. Fatty-acid profiles of fungi associated with holothuria Chiridota ochotensis were characterized for the first time. Producers of branched 15:0 and dichloro- and cyclopropane-containing acids were observed. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 18–20, January-February, 2009.     

Changes of antioxidative enzymes and cell membrane osmosis in tomato colonized by arbuscular Mycorrhizae under NaCl stress

Salinity toxicity is a worldwide agricultural and eco-environmental problem. Many literatures show that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance salt tolerance of many plants and some physiological changes occurred in AM symbiosis under salt stress. However, the role of ROS-scavenging enzymes in AM tomato is still unknown in continuous salt stress. This study investigated the effect of Glomus mosseae on tomato growth, cell membrane osmosis and examined the antioxidants (superoxide-dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; peroxidase, POD) responses in roots of mycorrhizal tomato and control under different NaCl stress for 40 days in potted culture. NaCl solution (0, 0.5 and 1%) was added to organic soil in the irrigation water after 45 days inoculated by AMF (Glomus mosseae). (1) AMF inoculation improved tomato growth under salt or saltless condition and reduced cell membrane osmosis, MDA (malonaldehyde) content in salinity. So the salt tolerance of tomato was enhanced by AMF; (2) SOD, APX and POD activity in roots of AM symbiosis were significantly higher than corresponding non-AM plants in salinity or saltless condition. However, CAT activity was transiently induced by AMF and then suppressed to a level similar with non-AM seedlings; (3) higher salinity (1% level) and long stress time suppressed the effect of AMF on SOD, APX, POD and CAT activity; (4) this research suggested that the enhanced salt tolerance in AM symbiosis was mainly related with the elevated SOD, POD and APX activity by AMF which degraded more reactive oxygen species and so alleviated the cell membrane damages under salt stress. Whereas, the elevated SOD, POD and APX activity due to AMF depended on salinity environment.