Cryptocin, a potent tetramic acid antimycotic from the endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. quercina

The endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis of. quercina produces cryptocin in c ulture, Among other fungi, this unique tetramic acid displays antimycotic a ctivity against Pyricularia oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease, Cryptocin also possesses activity against a wide variety of plant pathogen ic but not human pathogenic fungi, The fine rhomboid-like crystals of crypt ocin allowed structural elucidation by X-ray crystallography, The importanc e of cryptocin to the symbiotic relationship of C, quercina to its hosts is briefly discussed.