Biochemical markers in taxonomy of the genus Cunninghamella.

The chemical composition of fatty acids and ubiquinones was studied in 18 strains of Cunninghamella, to establish quantitative and qualitative differences within the genus. Fatty acids analysis has shown the presence of four groups. Ubiquinone analysis, through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), demonstrated the existence of three different groups based on the ubiquinone type. The average percentage of fatty acids of the species Cunninghamella elegans and Cunninghamella bertholletiae, show variations in linolenic and stearic acids, suggesting the possibility of differentiation between the two species.

Antimicrobial and antitumor activities of mycosporulone.

The conditions for optimal production of mycosporulone (1) are given. Its cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities are described. The biological activities of 1 were compared with those of known antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor agents. The compound was particularly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (resistant to penicillin). Compound 1 was not toxic to normal human cells (MRC(5)), although it exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human tumor cell lines MDA-MB 231 and PC(3) and the murine L-1210 leukemia cell line.

Fungal metabolite extracts active against phytopathogens.

The effectiveness of some genetically engineered microorganisms in the control of plant disease pathogens is widely acknowledged. These biopesticides, so far, pose less danger to the environment. However, little attention has been paid to the potential benefit of the use of exometabolites of some microorganisms in spite of their known activity and high biodegradability. A total of 1108 fungal metabolite extracts obtained from different strains of micromycetes cultured in two different liquid media (malt extract and yeast saccharose) were tested for antifungal activity. The target organisms were Collectotrichum musae, Drechslera spicifera, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Pyricularia oryzae, Drechslera oryzae and Gerlachia oryzae. Percentage mycelial growth inhibition activities varied widely with the different taxonomic groups. Extracts from Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. consistently showed the highest activity. A greater number of micromycetes produced active extracts in a liquid yeast extract saccharose medium than in a liquid malt extract medium. Mycelial growth inhibition diameters were also greater in assays with extracts from the yeast extract saccharose medium. The results generally demonstrated fungal metabolite extracts as potential sources of agricultural chemical input.