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Secondary metabolites from Penicillium corylophilum isolated from damp buildings

David R McMullin1, Tienabe K Nsiama1, J David Miller2

  • 1Ottawa Carleton Institute of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada.

Mycologia
|June 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Fungi in damp buildings release metabolites linked to respiratory issues. This study identifies novel compounds from Penicillium corylophilum, suggesting a reclassification for this common indoor fungus.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Mycology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Indoor fungal exposure, particularly from damp building materials, is associated with non-atopic asthma and upper respiratory diseases.
  • The health effects are thought to be mediated by low-dose exposure to fungal metabolites.
  • Penicillium corylophilum is frequently found in damp indoor environments across North America and Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first comprehensive analysis of secondary metabolites produced by geographically diverse Canadian isolates of Penicillium corylophilum.
  • To investigate the chemical diversity of metabolites produced by this common indoor fungus.
  • To evaluate the potential impact of these findings on the taxonomic classification of Penicillium corylophilum.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing of Penicillium corylophilum isolates collected across Canada.
  • Extraction and purification of secondary metabolites from culture filtrates.
  • Chemical characterization of isolated compounds using spectroscopic methods.

Main Results:

  • Identification of known compounds including the sesquiterpene phomenone and meroterpenoids citreohybridonol and andrastin A.
  • Discovery of novel compounds: koninginin A, E, and G, three new alpha pyrones, and four new isochromans.
  • This study represents the first report of koninginins, meroterpenoids, and alpha pyrones in Penicillium corylophilum.

Conclusions:

  • The identified secondary metabolites provide new chemical data for Penicillium corylophilum.
  • The chemical profile supports the proposed removal of P. corylophilum from the Penicillium section Citrina.
  • Further taxonomic research is warranted for this species based on its secondary metabolite production.
Keywords:
alpha pyroneindoor environmentisochromankoningininmeroterpenoid

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