Ergosterol from Phytophthora drechsleri,a unusual metabolite of a member of this genus

Abstract

Ergosterol was isolated from the plant pathogenic pseudofungus Phytophthora drechsleri grown on clarified V8 booth (CV8-B). Its structure was confirmed by comparison to an authentic sample. The species was identified by morphological analysis and molecular characterization by PCR: ITS (Internal transcribed spaces). This is the first report of this sterol in Phytophthora. This result is unusual because Phytophthora fungi were previously thought to be unable to synthesize sterols and the Oomycetes in general do not produce ergosterol.