Characterization of Biomolecules with Antibiotic Activity from Endophytic Fungi Phomopsis Species

Janko Ignjatović,Nika Savodnik,Nevena Maljurić,Miloš Petković,Borut Štrukelj,Jelena Golubović,Biljana Otašević,Matjaž Ravnikar

doi:10.17344/acsi.2019.5389

Abstract

Recently, growing interest is devoted to investigation of bioactive secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi. Thus, as an extension to our previous achievements related to antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi, Phomopsis species isolated from conifer needles was selected as appropriately promising natural source for drug discovery. Its dichloromethane and ethanol extracts considerably inhibited growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the individual compounds of dichloromethane extract have been separated, collected and purified using semi preparative liquid chromatographic analysis and comprehensively characterized using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Based on their antimicrobial activity and unique structural characteristics in comparison with well-established drugs from the same therapeutic category, two dominant compounds (Z)-(Z)-2-acetoxyprop-1-en-1-yl-3-(3-((E)-3,4-dihydroxypent-1-en-1-yl)oxiran-2-yl)acrylate (denoted as 325-3) and (Z)-(Z)-2-acetoxyprop-1-en-1-yl 3-(3-((E)-4-hydroxy-3-oxopent-1-en-1-yl)oxiran-2-yl)acrylate (denoted as 325-5) were recognized as valuable leading structures for future discovery of novel antibiotics.

Highlights

During evolution, plants have developed certain defending capabilities such as producing specific secondary metabolites in order to repel microorganisms, insects, or other animals that are feeding on them.[1]
As an extension to our previous achievements related to antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi, Phomopsis species isolated from conifer needles was selected as appropriately promising natural source for drug discovery
In order to facilitate the survival of a host plant, endophytes help host plant to overcome the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms by producing secondary metabolites.[9]

Summary

Introduction

Plants have developed certain defending capabilities such as producing specific secondary metabolites in order to repel microorganisms, insects, or other animals that are feeding on them.[1] plant tissues contain many types of microorganisms, which are referred to as endophytes.[2,3,4] During certain period of their life, endophytes colonize living internal tissues of their plant hosts without causing any symptoms.[2] Usually, an endophyte is specific for each host and is characteristic for conditions and geographical area in which its host develops.[5,6] Endophytic organisms seem to have mutualistic relation to their plant host by means that they preserve hosts from threats of pathogenic microorganisms, insects or other animals in return for their nutrition.[7,8] In order to facilitate the survival of a host plant, endophytes help host plant to overcome the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms by producing secondary metabolites.[9] There is evidence that endophytes produce metabolites for plant growth regulation, productivity and phytoremediation.[10,11]

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Results

Conclusion