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Life Sciences
Scientists at National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology describe research in life sciences
November 6th, 2009
Fresh data on life sciences are presented in the report 'Ascherxanthone B from Aschersonia luteola, a new antifungal compound active against rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea.' "Fungicide resistance now exists in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea, necessitating the need for new active agents. Fungi isolated from habitats in Thailand were screened with reference to this problem," scientists in Thailand report. "A new, reliable in vitro screening system based on a microdilution plate format was set up using a virulent strain of M. grisea THL 16. Culture broth extracts from approximately 800 fungal strains were investigated, one of these, Aschersonia luteola BCC 8774, was found to produce an active fungicidal compound, ascherxanthone B, with an IC(90) value of 0.58 microg ml(-1) (0.95 micromol l(-1)). An in vivo study of anti-blast efficacy of ascherxanthone B showed a positive effect in disease reduction. Previous report has shown that a species of Aschersonia produces ascherxanthone A. Research on the species, A. luteola BCC 8774, led to the discovery of related novel metabolite, ascherxanthone B with fungicidal properties. AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Current methods of rice blast control seem to fail leading to increase in crop losses," wrote C. Chutrakul and colleagues, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. The researchers concluded: "Our discovery of the anti-blast activity shown by ascherxanthone B is the first step in the development of a potentially novel fungicide." Chutrakul and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology (Ascherxanthone B from Aschersonia luteola, a new antifungal compound active against rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2009;107(5):1624-31). For additional information, contact C. Chutrakul, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, Thailand. The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Applied Microbiology is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: Thailand, Life Sciences, Antifungals, Biotechnology, Applied Microbiology. This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, NewsRx.com.
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