Phytotoxic Metabolites Isolated from <i>Neufusicoccum batangarum</i>, the Causal Agent of the Scabby Canker of Cactus Pear (<i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i> L.)

Six phytotoxins were obtained from the culture filtrates of the ascomycete <i>Neofusicoccum batangarum</i>, the causal agent of the scabby canker of cactus pear (<i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i> L.) in minor Sicily islands. The phytotoxins were identified as (&#8722;)-(<i&g...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marco Masi, Francesco Aloi, Paola Nocera, Santa Olga Cacciola, Giuseppe Surico, Antonio Evidente
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
Series:Toxins
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/2/126
Description
Summary:Six phytotoxins were obtained from the culture filtrates of the ascomycete <i>Neofusicoccum batangarum</i>, the causal agent of the scabby canker of cactus pear (<i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i> L.) in minor Sicily islands. The phytotoxins were identified as (&#8722;)-(<i>R</i>)-mellein (<b>1</b>); (&#177;)-botryoisocoumarin A (<b>2</b>); (&#8722;)-(3<i>R</i>,4<i>R</i>)- and (&#8722;)-(3<i>R</i>,4<i>S</i>)-4-hydroxymellein (<b>3</b> and <b>4</b>); (&#8722;)-terpestacin (<b>5</b>); and (+)-3,4-dihydro-4,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin, which we named (+)-neoisocoumarin (<b>6</b>). This identification was done by comparing their spectral and optical data with those already reported in literature. The absolute configuration (3<i>R</i>,4<i>S</i>) to (+)-neoisocoumarin (<b>6</b>) was determined using the advanced Mosher method. All six metabolites were shown to have phytotoxicity on the host (cactus pear) and non-host (tomato) plants, and the most active compounds were (&#177;)-botryoisocoumarin A (<b>2</b>), (&#8722;)-terpestacin (<b>5</b>), and (+)-neoisocoumarin (<b>6</b>).
ISSN:2072-6651