BIOACTIVE METABOLITES OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI Beauveria bassiana

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana is a fungus which causes disease in insects. Currently it is used as an insecticide to control pest populations. Fungi are known to produce a vast array of secondary metabolites that are important for biotechnological applications. Furthemore, B. bassiana is an interesting source of biologically active molecules. There are alkaloids with the structure of 2-pyridone, dibenzoquinone pigments and different cyclodepsipeptides. Cyclodepsipeptides from B. bassiana are interesting for their neuroprotective properties. Interest of psychopharmacology is focused on the group of beauveriolides. Plant B. bassiana becomes a candidate for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.