As part of a chemosystematic study of the genus Scytalidium, several s
trains belonging to the closely related species Scytalidium album, Scy
talidium lignicola, Scytalidium aurantiacum, and Scytalidium circinatu
m have been grown in liquid shake culture. The various strains examine
d did not show a consistent pattern of metabolites. Scytalidin [1), th
e major metabolite of Sc. album, was produced by two of three tested s
trains but not demonstrated by any strain of Sc. lignicola, Sc. aurant
iacum, or Sc. circinatum. The scytalidin-producing strains also produc
ed a closely related but undescribed metabolite, deoxyscytalidin [2].
One strain of Sc. lignicola produced a new compound which we call lign
icol [3]. Other strains of Sc. lignicola produced small amounts of one
or more other metabolites including scytalone (3,6,8-trihydroxytetral
one). Sc. circinatum produced only 4,8-dihydroxytetralone.