Phytotoxic Metabolites Isolated from Neufusicoccum batangarum, the Causal Agent of the Scabby Canker of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.)
- PMID: 32085485
- PMCID: PMC7077194
- DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020126
Phytotoxic Metabolites Isolated from Neufusicoccum batangarum, the Causal Agent of the Scabby Canker of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.)
Abstract
Six phytotoxins were obtained from the culture filtrates of the ascomycete Neofusicoccum batangarum, the causal agent of the scabby canker of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) in minor Sicily islands. The phytotoxins were identified as (-)-(R)-mellein (1); (±)-botryoisocoumarin A (2); (-)-(3R,4R)- and (-)-(3R,4S)-4-hydroxymellein (3 and 4); (-)-terpestacin (5); and (+)-3,4-dihydro-4,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin, which we named (+)-neoisocoumarin (6). This identification was done by comparing their spectral and optical data with those already reported in literature. The absolute configuration (3R,4S) to (+)-neoisocoumarin (6) was determined using the advanced Mosher method. All six metabolites were shown to have phytotoxicity on the host (cactus pear) and non-host (tomato) plants, and the most active compounds were (±)-botryoisocoumarin A (2), (-)-terpestacin (5), and (+)-neoisocoumarin (6).
Keywords: Neofusicoccum batangarum; cactus pear; phytotoxins; scabby cankers.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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References
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