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In vitro activity of 15-azasterol (A25822B) against chalkbrood pathogen Ascosphaera apis in the honey bee

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Abstract

The antifungal agent 15-azasterol A25822B was examined for effects on the growth and development of Ascosphaera apis. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of azasterol against A. apis was 1 μm. Growth and development of A. apis was completely controlled at this concentration. At a concentration of 0.01 μm growth of A. apis was retarded and although sporocysts were formed developing spores were not be able to reach maturation. A major effect of azasterol at this low concentration was the accumulation of lipid in the hyphae, sporocysts and immature spores. In addition it caused a conformational change in mitochondria and damage to the spore membrane structure. On the basis of these results, further investigations of azasterol for the treatment of chalkbrood disease in the honey bee are warranted.

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Work was performed during sabbatical leave at the University of California, Davis.

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Liu, T.P., Peng, C.Y.S., Mussen, E.C. et al. In vitro activity of 15-azasterol (A25822B) against chalkbrood pathogen Ascosphaera apis in the honey bee. Mycopathologia 115, 175–184 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00462222

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00462222

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