FORMATION OF ALKALOIDS IN FUNGI OF THE GENUS PENICILLIUM LINK IN COMBINED CULTIVATION

We studied diketopiperazine and clavin alkaloids synthesized by some f ungi of the genus Penicillium in their combined cultivation. A combine d effect of fungi on the formation of alkaloids was found in such cult ivation conditions. In combined cultivation of P. sizovae (producer of clavins) and one of the producers of roguefortin (P. rogueforti, P. f arinosum, P. verrucosum var. cyclopium), synthesis of clavins is inhib ited and accumulation of roquefortin is enhanced. Combined cultivation of P. sizovae and P. solitum (producer of a benzodiazepine compound a urantine), resulted in a 10-fold increase in biosynthesis of clavins a nd changed the common proportion of the components of the alkaloid mix ture. When added to the culture of P. sizovae, roquefortin decreases t he rate of clavin formation, while a P. sizovae metabolite, epoxyagroc lavin, stimulates biosynthesis and metabolism of roquefortin.