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Title: A survey of phytotoxic microbial and plant metabolites as potential natural products for pest management

Author
item Schrader, Kevin
item ANDOLFI, ANNA - The University Of Naples Federico Ii
item Cantrell, Charles
item CIMMINO, ALESSIO - The University Of Naples Federico Ii
item Duke, Stephen
item Osbrink, Weste
item Wedge, David
item EVIDENTE, ANTONIO - The University Of Naples Federico Ii

Submitted to: Chemistry and Biodiversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2010
Publication Date: 9/16/2010
Citation: Schrader, K., Andolfi, A., Cantrell, C.L., Cimmino, A., Duke, S.O., Osbrink, W.L., Wedge, D.E., Evidente, A. 2010. A survey of phytotoxic microbial and plant metabolites as potential natural products for pest management. Chemistry and Biodiversity. 7:2261-2280.

Interpretive Summary: Compounds produced by certain microorganisms and plants were evaluated in the laboratory for their activity and potential use for the managment of several pests including the following: 1) types of bacteria that cause disease in pond-raised catfish; 2) a type of blue-green alga responsible for musty off-flavor in catfish; 3) fungi that cause disease in agricultural plants; 4) termites; and 5) certain types of weeds. Among the natural compounds tested, several were identified as promising control agents for these pests.

Technical Abstract: Phytotoxic microbial metabolites produced by certain phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria and a group of a phytotoxic plant metabolites including Amayllidaceae alkaloids and some derivatives of these compounds were evaluated for algicide, bactericide, insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide activities in order to discover natural compounds for potential use in the management and control of several important agricultural and household structural pests. Among the various compounds evaluated: 1) ophiobolin A was found to be the most promising for potential use as a selective algicide; 2) ungeremine was discovered to be bactericidal against certain species of fish pathogenic bacteria; 3) cycasin caused significant mortality in termites; 4) cavoxin, ophiobolin A, and sphaeropsidin A were most active towards species of plant pathogenic fungi; and 5) lycorine and some of its analogues (1-O-acetyl-lycorine and lycorine chlorohydrate) were very phytotoxic in the herbicide bioassay. Our results further demonstrate that plants and microbes can provide a diverse and natural source of compounds with potential use as pesticides.