Neric acid derivatives produced by the honey bee fungal entomopathogen Ascosphaera apis

Two yet unknown from natural sources monoterpenoids, 1 and 2, were isolated from a culture of the honey bee entomopathogenic fungus Ascosphaera apis and their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. These compounds resembled certain pheromones of honey bees. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak antifungal and antioxidant properties and 1 exhibited antibiotic activity. The compound p-hydroxyphenylethanol, showing antifungal properties, was also isolated and identified. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Phytochemical Society of Europe.