Phomones A-C, Anti-Vibrio α-Pyrones From Phoma sp. NBUF235 Associated With an Ircinia Sponge From the Marine...

Area of Science:

• Marine Natural Products Chemistry
• Mycology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Marine sponges harbor diverse microbial communities, including fungi, which are sources of novel bioactive compounds.
• The marine mesophotic zone is an underexplored environment for discovering unique natural products.
• Sponge-associated fungi are increasingly recognized for their potential to produce secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize new chemical entities from a fungus associated with a marine sponge.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of isolated compounds against pathogenic Vibrio species.
• To explore the chemical diversity of alpha-pyrones from marine-derived fungi.

Main Methods:

• Bioassay-guided isolation of compounds from Phoma sp. NBUF235.
• Comprehensive spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS) for structural elucidation.
• Quantum chemistry calculations to support structural assignments.
• Determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Vibrio species.

Main Results:

• Three new alpha-pyrones, phomones A-C (1-3), and three known analogs (4-6) were isolated.
• Compounds 1-6 exhibited selective inhibition against aquatic pathogenic Vibrio species, including Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae.
• MIC values ranged from 8 to 32 µg/mL, indicating moderate to good potency.

Conclusions:

• The study identified novel alpha-pyrones from a marine sponge-associated fungus.
• The isolated compounds demonstrate significant anti-Vibrio activity, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents.
• These findings contribute to the understanding of chemical diversity in marine mesophotic zone fungi and their biotechnological potential.