Control of human and plant fungal pathogens using pentaene macrolide 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to address the toxicity of recently described polyene macrolide 32, 33-didehydroroflamycoin (DDHR) on a wide range of fungal pathogens and its potential to control plant fungal diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antifungal activity of DDHR in vitro was examined against common human and plant pathogenic fungi using a broth microdilution assay and a disk diffusion assay. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 12·5 to 35 µg ml(-1) . A radial growth inhibition assay showed that DDHR inhibited mycelia growth, inducing mycelial necrosis and affecting sporulation. During the in vivo assay on apple fruits administration of DDHR 1 h before fungal inoculation inhibited spreading of the infection. Importantly, DDHR exhibited no phytotoxic effects on the model plant, Capsicum annum, verified by the plant growth rate and chlorophyll content. CONCLUSIONS: DDHR inhibits growth of various plant pathogens in vitro with the strongest activity against Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum acutatum and Penicillium expansum, and protects apple fruits from decay. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of the inhibitory effect of DDHR on important pathogenic fungal isolates. DDHR could be a good scaffold for developing new antifungal agents for fruit and vegetable protection.

A new parallel plate dialyser. III. Preliminary experience on clinical performance.

The clinical model of a new parallel plate dialyser with a membrane area of 0.96 m2 with cuprophane 150 PM has been tested in more than 2000 dialyses with good clinical results. The simple design permits an aseptic, semiautomatic assembly and makes cheap industrial production possible. Clinical clearance values for urea, creatinine and uric acid are presented as well as data for ultrafiltration, residual blood volume and rupture frequency. The specific efficiency per square meter has been found to be high.