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Biotransformation of the trichoderma metabolite 6-n-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6PAP) by selected fungal isolates

Cooney1, Lauren

  • 1The Horticultural and Food Research Institute Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Insights

Certain fungi can transform the antifungal compound 6-n-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6PAP). Some Penicillium, Sclerotinia, and Fusarium isolates rapidly metabolized 6PAP, producing new hydroxylated and oxidized compounds, including four novel metabolites.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The antifungal metabolite 6-n-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6PAP) is produced by Trichoderma fungi.
  • Understanding the microbial transformation of natural products is crucial for discovering new bioactive compounds and biosynthetic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the metabolic fate of 6PAP when exposed to various fungal species.
  • To identify and characterize any new metabolites produced from 6PAP transformation.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of 6PAP with different fungal isolates.
  • Isolation and purification of transformation products.
  • Structure elucidation of novel metabolites using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

  • Three Penicillium, one Sclerotinia, and one Fusarium isolate efficiently metabolized 6PAP.
  • Metabolism resulted in monohydroxylated isomers and further oxidized carboxylic acid derivatives.
  • Four previously unidentified metabolites (compounds 6, 7, 8, and 9) were isolated and characterized.
  • Other fungal isolates, including Sphaeropsis sapinea and Ophiostoma species, showed limited ability to metabolize 6PAP.

Conclusions:

  • Specific fungal species possess enzymatic machinery capable of transforming 6PAP.
  • The transformation pathways involve hydroxylation and oxidation, leading to novel chemical structures.
  • This study expands the known metabolic diversity of 6PAP and highlights potential for discovering new bioactive fungal metabolites.

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