Chemical Constituents of Postia balsamea

Postia balsamea (Aphyllophorales, Basidiomycota) is the causal agent of root rot and butt rot in balsam fir (Abies balsamea family Pinaceae). Mechanical or insect caused wounds to the roots or basal areas of trees provide entrances for the fungi. Root rot and butt rot cause considerable losses in softwood production [1]. Our previous studies reported the presence of polyacetylene compounds having phytotoxic activity from Postia balsamea [2]. We report herein on the isolation and characterization of new phenolic compounds methyl 3-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate(1), 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (2), 3-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (3) along with two known lanostane-type triterpenes, acetyl eburicoic acid and eburicoic acid from the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of Postia balsamea. These two triterpenes have previously been isolated [3,4] and found to inhibit the proliferation of human HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells in a dose dependant manner [4]. Acknowledgements: Dr. Bharathi Avula, National Center for Natural Products Research, for providing the high resolution Mass spectral data. References: [1] Rizzo DM, Harrington TC, (1988) Plant diseases, 72: 329–331. [2] Kumarihamy M, et al. (2008), Planta Medica, 74: 351. [3] Tai T, et al. (1993), Phytochemistry, 32: 1239–1244. [4] Leon F, et al. (2004), J Nat Prod, 67, 2008–2011.