Biotransformation of guttiferones, Symphonia globulifera metabolites, by Bipolaris cactivora, an endophytic fungus isolated from its leaves

The search for active microorganisms for the biotransformation of guttiferone A (1) and C (6) has been successfully undertaken from a collection of endophytic fungi of Symphonia globulifera. Of the twenty-five isolates obtained from the leaves, three are active and have been identified as Bipolaris cactivora. The products obtained are the result of xanthone cyclisation with the formation of two regioisomers among four possible and corresponding to 1,16-oxy-guttiferone and 3,16-oxy-guttiferone. The biotransformation conditions were studied. Interestingly, both oxy-guttiferones A are present in the plant, and the ratio of 3,16-oxy-guttiferone to 1,16-oxy-guttiferone is 4 : 1, very close to that observed by biotransformation (3.8 : 1). These results are consistent with the involvement of endophytes in their formation pathway from guttiferone A, in planta. Finally, biotransformation made it possible to obtain and describe for the first time oxy-guttiferones C.

Automated summary

The study successfully identified active microorganisms for the biotransformation of guttiferone A and C from endophytic fungi of Symphonia globulifera. Among the isolates obtained, three were found to be active and were identified as Bipolaris cactivora. The biotransformation products were two regioisomers of oxy-guttiferones, with a ratio similar to that seen in the plant itself.