Metabolites of a Drechslera sp. endophyte with potential as biocontrol and bioremediation agent

Abstract

Endophytic fungi have several well-established beneficial effects on plant health and growth, and are a huge source of bioactive compounds. The endophyte Drechslera sp. strain 678, isolated from the roots of an Australian native grass Neurachne alopecuroidea, demonstrated efficacy against four plant pathogens (Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata). In addition, strain 678 was capable of degrading a common additive used in gasoline, known as methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MtBE). Thus, the organic extracts obtained from the culture filtrate of strain 678 were studied. Metabolomic analysis revealed the presence of two major bioactive metabolites, monocerin and an alkynyl substituted epoxycyclohexenone derivative, which showed good antifungal activity. The Drechslera sp. strain 678 and its compounds show promise for applications in biocontrol and bioremediation activities in agriculture or as a remediation option for MtBE contamination in soil.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Drechslera
• monocerin
• epoxide cyclohexenone
• biocontrol
• antifungal
• methyl tertiary-butyl ether

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by MIURPON [grant number Linfa 03PE_00026_1; grant number Marea 03PE_00106]; POR FESR CAMPANIA 2014/2020-O.S. 1.1 [grant number Bioagro 559]; MISE CRESO [grant number Protection n. F/050421/01-03/X32]; PSR Veneto 16.1.1 [grant number Divine n. 3589659].