Project Number: 6435-41000-101-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 01, 2009
End Date: Sep 30, 2011

Objective:
Enhance value and utilization of low value/underutilized crops and crop co-products through discovery and purification of novel, constituent antifungal compounds and determine commercial potential of discovered antifungals.

Approach:
Barley and cotton 3-day old cotyledons will be extracted aqueously, as will okra fruit, and peanut and rice hulls. Filtered, freeze-dried extracts will be tested for fungicidal properties. Active compounds will be purified by HPLC/MS and activity monitored with bioassays using Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum. NMR will determine chemical structure of antifungal compounds. Novel compounds will be patented and all active compounds will be tested for their antifungal spectra of activity. Commercial potential of compounds as agricultural fungicides and medical antifungals will be determined by collaborators. Discovered protein antifungals will be cloned. Construct genes will be incorporated into gene expression systems to obtain a protective effect against fungal pathogens.