title: Optimizing production and evaluating biosynthesis in situ of a herbicidal compound, mevalocidin, from Coniolariella sp.
abstract: Mevalocidin is a fungal secondary metabolite produced by Coniolariella sp. It is a unique phytotoxin that demonstrates broad spectrum post-emergent herbicidal properties. With limited options for weed control, the commercialization of a natural product pesticide would be beneficial to organic farming. In this study, two mevalocidin-producing fungal strains, coded MSX56446 and MSX92917, were explored under a variety of growth conditions, including time, temperature, and media. The concentration of mevalocidin was quantitatively measured via LC-MS to determine the optimal setting for each condition. Maximum production was achieved for each condition at 20 days, at 30 °C, with YESD + agar, and with a media containing 2.5 % dextrose. Furthermore, an advanced surface sampling technique was incorporated to gain a better understanding of the fungal culture's natural ability to biosynthesize and distribute this herbicide into its environment. It was shown that both fungi actively exude mevalocidin into their environment via liquid droplet formations known as guttates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Sica
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.|Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figueroa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.
authors.forename: Huzefa A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Raja
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.
authors.forename: Tamam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: El-Elimat
authors.affiliation: Mycosynthetix, Inc., 505 Meadowlands Dr. #103, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, USA.
authors.forename: Blaise A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Darveaux
authors.affiliation: Mycosynthetix, Inc., 505 Meadowlands Dr. #103, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, USA. cpearce@mycosynthetix.com.
authors.forename: Cedric J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA. nicholas_oberlies@uncg.edu.
authors.forename: Nicholas H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Oberlies
mesh_terms: D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013098:Xylariales / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D006540:Herbicides; C583007:mevalocidin
keywords: Droplet-based liquid extraction; Fungal secondary metabolites; Herbicide; Spatial distribution