Phytotoxic and Antifungal Activity of (-)-Penienone Produced by Penicillium palitans (Ascomycota) Isolated from Deep Sea Sediments in the Southern Ocean, Maritime Antarctica

Authors: BARRETO, DEBORA - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais; Cantrell, Charles; DA SILVA, MAYANNE KARLA - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais; DE CARVALHO, CAMILA - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais; DE QUEIROZ, SONIA CLAUDIA - Embrapa; Bajsa Hirschel, Joanna; Tamang, Prabin; DUKE, STEPHEN - University Of Mississippi; RERNANDES DUARTE, ALYSSON WAGNER - Universidade Federal De Alagoas; ROSA, LUIZ HENRIQUE - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais

Submitted to: Chemistry and Biodiversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2024
Publication Date: 3/14/2025
Citation: Barreto, D.L., Cantrell, C.L., Da Silva, M., De Carvalho, C.R., De Queiroz, S.D., Bajsa Hirschel, J.N., Tamang, P., Duke, S.O., Rernandes Duarte, A., Rosa, L. 2025. Phytotoxic and Antifungal Activity of (-)-Penienone Produced by Penicillium palitans (Ascomycota) Isolated from Deep Sea Sediments in the Southern Ocean, Maritime Antarctica. Chemistry and Biodiversity. 22(3)e202401603. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202401603.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202401603

Interpretive Summary: Natural products represent an important source of bioactive compounds and have been extensively studied to identify substances with pesticide potential. Metabolites isolated from Penicillium palitans UFMGCB 19625, obtained from deep sea sediments in the Southern Ocean in maritime Antarctica, were investigated for phytotoxic and antifungal activities. The fungus was submitted to solid state fermentation techniques, and its methylene chloride crude extract was produced. Chromatographic separations of the P. palitans crude extract led to the isolation of two analogous compounds: penienone (1) and palitantin (2). The phytotoxic activity of these compounds was assessed against germinating seeds of lettuce and creeping bentgrass . Both compounds demonstrated activity exclusively in the monocotyledonous model, creeping bentgrass. At a concentration of 1 mg mL-1, penienone caused 100% inhibition of seed germination, while palitantin had only moderate activity on germination and growth of seedlings at this concentration. The strain P. palitans UFMGCB 19625 demonstrated to be a good source of phytotoxic and antifungal compounds, indicating that extremophilic fungi, including wild Penicillium strains from Antarctica can produce interesting prototype molecules for the development of new pesticides.

Technical Abstract: Antarctica, were investigated for phytotoxic and antifungal activities. The fungus was submitted to solid state fermentation techniques, and its methylene chloride crude extract was produced. Chromatographic separations of the P. palitans crude extract led to the isolation of two analogous compounds: penienone (1) and palitantin (2). The phytotoxic activity of these compounds was assessed against germinating seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). Both compounds demonstrated activity exclusively in the monocotyledonous model, A. stolonifera. At a concentration of 1 mg mL-1, penienone caused 100% inhibition of seed germination, while palitantin had only moderate activity on germination and growth of seedlings at this concentration. Against Lemna paucicostata (duckweed), 57 µM penienone inhibited growth 50% (IC50). Palitantin was much less active. When evaluated for their antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum fragariae, only penienone exhibited activity. A 100 µg/spot caused inhibition zones measuring 12 mm in diameter, and at 10 µg/spot, the inhibition zones measured 6.3 mm in diameter. The strain P. palitans UFMGCB 19625 demonstrated to be a good source of phytotoxic and antifungal compounds, indicating that extremophilic fungi, including wild Penicillium strains from Antarctica can produce interesting prototype molecules for the development of new pesticides.