Modification of culture conditions for production of the anti-tubercular hirsutellones by the insect pathogenic fungus Hirsutella nivea BCC 2594.
OBJECTIVE
This work aimed to improve the production of anti-tubercular hirsutellones by the insect pathogenic fungus Hirsutella nivea BCC 2594.


RESULTS
The fungus was cultivated under different carbon/nitrogen sources and aerations (shake vs static flasks) to improve the production of the anti-tubercular alkaloids, hirsutellones A-D. Under the basal conditions, static cultivation at 25 degrees C in minimum salt medium, only hirsutellone B and C were detected with maximum concentrations of 139.00 and 18.27 mg l(-1). Substitution of fructose for glucose and peptone for yeast extract increased the titres of hirsutellones A, B and C about two- to threefold. However, hirsutellone D was not detected in this medium. Culture agitation induced the production of hirsutellone D. As a result, the significant amounts of hirsutellones A-D were obtained with the concentration of 29.93, 169.63, 22.65 and 15.71 mg l(-1) within 15 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved titres of hirsutellones in H. nivea BCC 2549 were achieved with an agitated (200 rev min(-1)) fructose-peptone medium at 25 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved yields of hirsutellones B-D will enable medicinal chemistry modifications leading to a development of a potential candidate for tuberculosis therapy.
BIOTEC Central Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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Madla
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Isaka
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Wongsa
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010461:Peptones / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D010461:Peptones; D005632:Fructose; D002244:Carbon; D005947:Glucose; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen