Microbial transformation of dehydropinguisenol by Aspergillus sp.

Two metabolites were obtained by microbial transformation of a furanosesqui terpene alcohol, dehydropinguisenol, using Aspergillus niger and Aspergillu s cellulosae. Their structures were established as 10-oxo-lejeuneapinguisen ol and lejeuneapinguisenol on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The la tter compound was obtained after 4 and 9 days of incubation with A. cellulo sae at 30 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively. Aspergillus niger produ ced both metabolites after 3 and 5 days incubation at 30 degrees C, respect ively. A possible pathway for the formation of these compounds is discussed here together with their antimicrobial activity against A. niger and A. ce llulosae. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.