Conjugation of antifungal benzoic acid derivatives as a path for detoxification in Penicillium brasilianum, an endophyte from Melia azedarach.

In this study, the consumption of 4-bromobenzoic acid and 4-chlorobenzoic acid by the fungus Penicillium brasilianum, an endophyte from Melia azedarach is evaluated. This fungus metabolizes these halobenzoic acids to produce three new brominated compounds, which have been isolated and characterized, and three new chlorinated derivatives identified by HRMS. Among these products, (4-bromobenzoyl)proline has been also chemically synthesized and employed in biological assays, thus providing insights for the elucidation of the defense mechanism of P. brasilianum towards these halobenzoic acids.