Fatty Acids and Other Compounds with Nematicidal Activity from Cultures of Basidiomycetes

Abstract

In a screening for nematicidal activities in cultures of Basidiomycetes, cultures of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Hericium coralloides exhibited toxic effects towards the saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Subsequently S-coriolic acid (1), linoleic acid (2), p-anisaldehyde (3),p-anisyl alcohol (4), 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol (5), and 2-hydroxy-(4′-methoxy)-propiophenone (6) were isolated from submerged cultures of P. pulmonarius. All Compounds showed nematicidal activities towards C. elegans. The most active Compounds were 1 and 2 with LD₅₀ values between 5 and 10 ppm. Compounds 1,4, and 5 have not been previously isolated from higher fungi, 6 is a new natural product. From cultures of H. coralloides, which exhibited both repellant and nematicidal effects, a nematicidal fatty acid mixture was obtained, containing linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid as its main components.

Key words

Fatty acids - nematicidal activity - Caenorhabditis elegans - Pleurotus pulmonarius - Hericium coralloides - 2-hydroxy-(4′-methoxy)-propiophenone - Basidiomycetes