ARS | Publication request: Fungal biotransformation of furanocoumarins by Aspergillus niger

Submitted to: National Meeting of Institute of Food Technologists/Food Expo
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2007
Publication Date: April 25, 2007
Citation: Myung, K., Narciso, J.A., Manthey, J.A. 2007. Fungal biotransformation of furanocoumarins by Aspergillus niger. National Meeting of Institute of Food Technologists/Food Expo. Presentation No. 064-04.

Technical Abstract: Fungi metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a number of detoxification processes. Prevalent fungal detoxification pathways for aromatic compounds include the formation of sulfate and glycosidated conjugates. Such fungal metabolism has been extensively studied as models of mammalian metabolism. A class of aromatic compounds important to the citrus industry is the furanocoumarins in grapefruit, and their metabolism in humans is critically involved in the "grapefruit/drug interactions". Thus far, the metabolism by fungi of the major furanocoumarins, including 6',7'-epoxybergamottin (EB) and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin has received little attention. In our current studies, the metabolism of EB by a number of fungi has been investigated. Of particular interest were the findings made with Aspergillus niger, which was observed to convert EB into several metabolites and water-soluble conjugates. The enzymes involved in these modifications are under investigation, as well as the structural identifications of these metabolites. Possible metabolic pathways for furanocoumarin metabolism will be discussed.