Xylaramide, a new antifungal compound, and other secondary metabolites from Xylaria longipes

Xylaramide (1), possessing potent antifungal activity towards Nematospora coryli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was isolated from the culture fluids of the wood-inhabiting ascomycete Xylaria longipes together with tyrosol (2), 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (3) and 2-hexyli-dene-3-methylsuccinic acid (4). The latter has been known as a Xylaria metabolite for many years. Compounds 2 and 3 have been previously reported from other fungi, whereas 1 is a new natural N-(2-phenylethenyl)-2-hydroxypropanamide. The isolation, structure determination and biological properties of xylaramide are described. The biological activities of the other compounds are included.