Total syntheses of (+)-ipomeamarone and (−)-ngaione via novel intramolecular hydrogen abstraction

Toxic Ipomeamarone accumulation in healthy parts of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) storage roots upon infection by Rhizopus stolonifer

Furanoterpenoid accumulation in response to microbial attack in rotting sweetpotatoes has long been linked to deaths and lung edema of cattle in the world. However, it is not known whether furanoterpenoid ipomeamarone accumulates in the healthy-looking parts of infected sweetpotato storage roots. This is critical for effective utilization as animal feed and assessment of the potential negative impact on human health. Therefore, we first identified the fungus from infected sweetpotatoes as a Rhizopus stolonifer strain and then used it to infect healthy sweetpotato storage roots for characterization of furanoterpenoid content. Ipomeamarone and its precursor, dehydroipomeamarone, were identified through spectroscopic analyses, and detected in all samples and controls at varying concentrations. Ipomeamarone concentration was at toxic levels in healthy-looking parts of some samples. Our study provides fundamental information on furanoterpenoids in relation to high levels reported that could subsequently affect cattle on consumption and high ipomeamarone levels in healthy-looking parts.

Inhibitory activity against plant pathogenic fungi of extracts from Myoporum bontioides A. Gray and indentification of active ingredients

BACKGROUND

In order to understand the bioactivity of Myoporum bontioides A. Gray against plant pathogens and determine its active ingredients, the inhibitory activities of methanol extracts from M. bontioides against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (E. F. Smith) Snyder & Hansen, Pestalotia mangiferae P. Henn., Thielaviopsis paradoxa (De Seynes) v. Hohnel, Colletotrichum musae (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) v. Arx, Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Mycosphaerella sentina (Fr.) Schroter and Sphaceloma fawcettii Jenk. were evaluated using a growth rate method, and the active ingredient was isolated by activity-directed isolation and identified by determination and analysis of IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectra and correlative physical constants.

RESULTS

The results showed that the extracts from stems and leaves of M. bontioides exhibited inhibitory activity against the seven fungi, with > 58% inhibition at 10 g L(-1) after 72 h. The active compound was isolated and identified as (-)-epingaione, and showed inhibitory activity against the above seven fungi. The inhibitory activity against P. mangiferae was the highest, with an EC(50) value of 77 mg L(-1). The EC(50) values against the other six fungi were 147-245 mg L(-1). (-)-Epingaione also inhibited spore germination of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, T. paradoxa and S. fawcettii.

CONCLUSION

(-)-Epingaione demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against plant pathogenic fungi and is promising for exploitation as a fungicide.

Identification of antibacterial constituents from the indigenous Australian medicinal plant Eremophila duttonii F. Muell. (Myoporaceae)

This paper reports on the isolation and identification of antibacterial constituents from the indigenous Australian medicinal plant Eremophila duttonii F. Muell. (Myoporaceae). Preparations derived from this plant are used by indigenous populations in the topical treatment of minor wounds, otitis and ocular complaints, and as a gargle for sore throat. Several authors have reported extracts of this plant to effect rapid bacteriolysis and inhibit growth of a wide range of Gram-positive micro-organisms. In other studies involving screening of native medicinal plants for antibacterial activity, extracts of Eremophila duttonii have been reported to consistently exhibit the highest potency amongst all species included. From a hexane extract, we identified two diterpenes of the serrulatane class, the principal constituents responsible for antibacterial activity and present as major constituents of the resinous leaf cuticle: serrulat-14-en-7,8,20-triol (1) and serrulat-14-en-3,7,8,20-tetraol (2). In addition, a hydroxylated furanosesquiterpene with mild antibacterial activity which appeared to be a novel compound was isolated from the extract and tentatively identified as 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-methyl[2,3'-bifuran]-5-yl) pentan-2-one. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for each of the compounds against three Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (ARL 10582), were determined using a micro-titre plate broth dilution assay.

Designed Chiral Acyl Radical Equivalents. Preparation and Cyclizations of Disymmetrically Substituted 1,3-Dioxabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-2-yl Radicals

The diastereoselectivity of 5-exo-trigonal cyclizations of 2-(4-penten-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl and 2-(4-penten-1-yl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl radicals is investigated. When dioxolanes or dioxanes derived from C(2) symmetrically substituted diols are employed the diastereoselectivity is poor. In the dioxanyl series this is a consequence of the cyclization occurring through a twist-boat conformer. Disymmetrically substituted dioxanyl radicals, derived from the alcohols 21 and 41, are, however, constrained to chairlike conformations and accordingly give rise to highly diastereoselective cyclizations. Conditions are described for the hydrolysis of the resulting spiroacetals and for determination of the ee of the resulting 2-methylcyclopentanones.