Control of human and plant fungal pathogens using pentaene macrolide 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Plant Pathology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Polyene macrolides are a class of antifungal compounds.
• 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin (DDHR) is a recently described polyene macrolide.
• Fungal pathogens pose significant threats to agriculture and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antifungal toxicity of DDHR against a broad spectrum of fungal pathogens.
• To assess the potential of DDHR in controlling plant fungal diseases.
• To investigate the phytotoxicity of DDHR on plants.

Main Methods:

• In vitro antifungal activity was assessed using broth microdilution and disk diffusion assays.
• Radial growth inhibition assays were performed to evaluate mycelial growth and sporulation.
• In vivo efficacy was tested on apple fruits, and phytotoxicity was assessed on *Capsicum annum*.

Main Results:

• DDHR demonstrated minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 35 μg/ml against various fungi.
• DDHR inhibited mycelial growth, induced necrosis, and affected sporulation.
• In vivo, DDHR protected apple fruits from infection and showed no phytotoxic effects on *Capsicum annum*.

Conclusions:

• DDHR exhibits potent antifungal activity against plant pathogens, particularly *Alternaria alternata*, *Colletotrichum acutatum*, and *Penicillium expansum*.
• DDHR effectively protects apple fruits from decay.
• DDHR represents a promising scaffold for developing novel antifungal agents for agricultural applications.