Salt stress induces production of melanin related metabolites in the phytopathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans

Abstract

A search for stress metabolites produced by the plant pathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans (asexual stage Phoma lingam) cultured in high salt medium led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two metabolites associated with melanin biosynthesis and cell melanization, a self-protection mechanism against salt stress. The chemical structures of the metabolites were deduced by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and chemical transformations.