BOTCINOLIDE - A BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE NATURAL PRODUCT FROM BOTRYTIS-CINEREA

A novel biologically active natural product was isolated from a strain of Botrytis cinerea found on cultivated raspberry fruit (Rubus ideaus ) upon fermentation in a liquid medium. Following a bioassay-directed purification process, the final product was an amorphous solid with th e molecular formula C20H34O8, and is trivially named botcinolide. It s ignificantly inhibited etiolated wheat coleoptile growth at 10(-3) and 10(-4) M by 100 and 82% respectively, relative to the controls. Green house-grown bean, corn, and tobacco plants were affected by treating w ith botcinolide, and exhibited chlorosis and severe necrosis at 10(-2) and 10(-3) M. The structure is a new hydroxylated nonalactone that is esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-octenoic acid.