Entomotoxic Activity of the Extracts from the Fungus, Alternaria tenuissima and Its Major Metabolite, Tenuazonic Acid

The study of fungal antibiotics in their competitive interactions with arthropods may lead to the development of novel biorational insecticides. Extracts of Alternaria tenuissima MFP253011 obtained using various methods showed a wide range of biological activities, including entomotoxic properties. Analysis of their composition and bioactivity allowed us to reveal several known mycotoxins and unidentified compounds that may be involved in the entomotoxic activity of the extracts. Among them, tenuazonic acid (TeA), which was the major component of the A. tenuissima extracts, was found the most likely to have larvicidal activity against Galleria mellonella. In the intrahaemocoel injection bioassay, TeA was toxic to G. mellonella and of Zophobas morio with an LT50 of 6 and 2 days, respectively, at the level of 50 mu g/larva. Administered orally, TeA inhibited the growth of G. mellonella larvae and caused mortality of Acheta domesticus adults (LT50 7 days) at a concentration of 250 mu g/g of feed. TeA showed weak contact intestinal activity against the two phytophages, Tetranychus urticae and Schizaphis graminum, causing 15% and 27% mortality at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, respectively. TeA was cytotoxic to the Sf9 cell line (IC50 25 mu g/mL). Thus, model insects such as G. mellonella could be used for further toxicological characterization of TeA.

Automated summary

Research on fungal antibiotics from Alternaria tenuissima MFP253011 extracts revealed potential unidentified compounds with entomotoxic activity, particularly Tenuazonic acid (TeA) which showed strong larvicidal effects on Galleria mellonella. Besides, TeA also exhibited toxicity against other insects and cell lines.