Herbicidal and Antifungal Xanthone Derivatives from the Alga-Derived Fungus Aspergillus versicolor D5

J Agric Food Chem. 2020 Oct 7;68(40):11207-11214. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c04265. Epub 2020 Sep 23.

Abstract

Fungi have been proved as promising and prolific sources of functional secondary metabolites with potent agricultural applications. In this study, 14 xanthone derivatives (1-14), including six new ones, versicones I-N (1-4, 7, 11), and a biogenetically related derivative (15), were isolated from the alga-derived fungus Aspergillus versicolor D5. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods. Versicone L (4) exhibited a broad antifungal spectrum and prominent inhibitory effects on Botrytis cinerea at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 152 μM, 7-fold stronger than that of the positive control, carbendazim (MIC = 1.05 × 103 μM). Dihydrosterigmatocystin (13) showed strong antifungal activity toward B. cinerea at MIC = 38.3 μM, almost 30-fold stronger than that of carbendazim. Meanwhile, 13 exhibited potent herbicidal activity toward Amaranthus retroflexus L. with an MIC of 24.5 μM, approximately 4-fold stronger than that of the positive control, glyphosate (MIC = 94.7 μM). Additionally, 13 also displayed remarkable activity against other weeds belonging to Amaranth sp. Analysis of the structure-herbicidal activity relationship indicated that the bifuranic ring played an important role in xanthone phytotoxicity and the presence of a double bond in the furan ring could decrease phytotoxicity. This study indicated that xanthones can be served as promising candidates for lead compounds of agrochemicals.

Keywords: Aspergillus versicolor; antifungal; biopesticide; herbicidal; xanthone.

MeSH terms

  • Amaranthus / drug effects
  • Amaranthus / growth & development
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspergillus / chemistry*
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
  • Botrytis / drug effects
  • Botrytis / growth & development
  • China
  • Chlorophyta / microbiology
  • Herbicides / chemistry*
  • Herbicides / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Xanthones / chemistry*
  • Xanthones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Herbicides
  • Xanthones
  • xanthone

Supplementary concepts

  • Aspergillus versicolor
  • Botrytis cinerea