The antifungal strobilurins and their possible ecological role

Abstract

The strobilurins and the closely related oudemansins are new respiration inhibitors, binding to the Qp centre of cytochrome b. Their high antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi and their low toxicity towards mammals make them attractive lead compounds for the synthesis of agricultural fungicides. The strobilurins have been isolated from a great number of Basidiomycetes belonging to the genera Strobilurus, Oudemansiella, Xerula, Hydropus, Mycena, Filoboletus, Crepidotus, and Cyphellopsis as well as one Ascomycete, Bolinea lutea. Strobilurin-producing species occur in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australia. Most of the producing fungi grow on wood. Since under sterile conditions strobilurin production could be detected in the natural substrate it appears that the strobilurins play a role in securing nutrient resources for the producers from competing fungi. Key words: strobilurins, oudemansins, antibiotics, antifungal, Basidiomycetes.