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Optimizing production and evaluating biosynthesis in situ of a herbicidal compound, mevalocidin, from Coniolariella sp.

  • Natural Products
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Mevalocidin is a fungal secondary metabolite produced by Coniolariella sp. It is a unique phytotoxin that demonstrates broad spectrum post-emergent herbicidal properties. With limited options for weed control, the commercialization of a natural product pesticide would be beneficial to organic farming. In this study, two mevalocidin-producing fungal strains, coded MSX56446 and MSX92917, were explored under a variety of growth conditions, including time, temperature, and media. The concentration of mevalocidin was quantitatively measured via LC–MS to determine the optimal setting for each condition. Maximum production was achieved for each condition at 20 days, at 30 °C, with YESD + agar, and with a media containing 2.5 % dextrose. Furthermore, an advanced surface sampling technique was incorporated to gain a better understanding of the fungal culture’s natural ability to biosynthesize and distribute this herbicide into its environment. It was shown that both fungi actively exude mevalocidin into their environment via liquid droplet formations known as guttates.

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Abbreviations

ITS:

Internal transcribed spacer

Droplet–LMJ–SSP:

Droplet liquid microjunction surface sampling probe

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by a Grant from the US Department of Agriculture (NIFA 2012-33610-19523). The authors thank T. N. Graf of UNCG for assistance in isolation method development and Drs. Vilmos Kertesz and Gary J. Van Berkel (Mass Spectrometry and Laser Spectroscopy Group, Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory) for inspiration and guidance with the droplet-LMJ-SSP.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA

      Vincent P. Sica, Mario Figueroa, Huzefa A. Raja, Tamam El-Elimat & Nicholas H. Oberlies

    2. Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico

      Mario Figueroa

    3. Mycosynthetix, Inc., 505 Meadowlands Dr. #103, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, USA

      Blaise A. Darveaux & Cedric J. Pearce

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    1. Vincent P. Sica
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    Correspondence to Cedric J. Pearce or Nicholas H. Oberlies.

    Additional information

    V. P. Sica and M. Figueroa contributed equally to this work.

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    10295_2016_1782_MOESM1_ESM.docx

    Phylograms of ITS and 28S rDNA for the fungi utilized in this paper. A flowchart detailing the extraction process. The 1H NMR and MS data for both compounds. The chromatograms confirming the biosynthesis of both compounds. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org (DOCX 1161 kb)

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    Sica, V.P., Figueroa, M., Raja, H.A. et al. Optimizing production and evaluating biosynthesis in situ of a herbicidal compound, mevalocidin, from Coniolariella sp.. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 43, 1149–1157 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-016-1782-2

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-016-1782-2

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