Purification and some properties of hemagglutinin from the Myxomycete, Physarum polycephalum

Laboratory culture and bioactive natural products of myxomycetes

Myxomycetes, one of the lowest classes of eukaryote (true slime molds), are an unusual group of primitive organisms. Their life cycle consists of two stages, namely the free-living plasmodium and the fruiting body with unique structures and colors. The chemical studies on the secondary metabolites of the myxomycetes are limited due to a lack of understanding of their laboratory cultivation. In this review, 93 natural products from myxomycetes, including their chemical structures and bioactivities were described. We also provided a conceptual overview over five culture methods of myxomycetes, including moist chamber culture, feeding culture, pure culture, liquid culture and hanging drop culture.

Secondary metabolites of slime molds (myxomycetes)

The compounds reported from the slime molds (myxomycetes) species are described. Almost 100 natural compounds including their chemical structures and biological activities are described in this review article. Only metabolites with a well-defined structure are included.