Cordyceps cicadae (Chanhua in Chinese), a species recognised for its medicinal properties and used as one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been extensively studied for its bioactive components. In this study, two new polyketide-amino acid hybrids were isolated and characterised from C. cicadae FJNU 0030. These compounds were systematically isolated, and their structures were elucidated using high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The two compounds exhibited significant antibacterial activities in the bioassay. These findings contribute to the ongoing exploration of C. cicadae as a source of novel bioactive compounds, potentially leading to the development of new antimicrobial agents. The study accentuates the importance of TCM fungi in discovering new therapeutic compounds.
Keywords: Cordyceps cicadae; antibacterial activity; polyketide-amino acid hybrids; traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).