Effect of culture conditions on antifouling compound production of a sponge-associated fungus

Microorganisms associated with invertebrate hosts have long been suggested to be a source for bioactive metabolites. In this study, we reported that a sponge-associated fungus, Letendraea helminthicola, produced two antifouling compounds: 3-methyl-N-(2-phenylethyl) butanamide and cyclo(D-Pro-D-Phe). To optimize the production of these antifouling compounds, we then examined the production of compounds under different culture conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, and carbon and nitrogen sources). This fungus grew well and produced more compounds at temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees C; the fungus grew well at 75 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity but produced the highest amount of antifouling compounds at 30 and 45 ppt. The optimal initial pH value for mycelial growth was 5.5 to 6.5, whereas the production of the antifouling compounds was maximized at pH 3.5 and 4.5. Glucose and xylose (as carbon sources) increased the production of antifouling compounds. Yeast extract and peptone (as nitrogen sources) maximized the production of mycelial biomass and antifouling compounds. Our results indicate that culture conditions greatly affect the production of bioactive compounds from mycelial fungal cultures as exemplified by strain L. helminthicola and that the conditions favorable for fungal growth may not be the best conditions for bioactive compound production.