Production of a novel steroid sulfate metabolite [4,4,24-trimethylcholesta-8,14,24(28)-trien-2α,3β,11α,12β-tetrol 12-acetate, 3-sulfate] by Fusarium species and its biological activity

Abstract

A novel steroid sulfate, 4,4,24-trimethylcholestra-8,14,24(28)-trien-2α,3β,11α,12β-tetrol 12-acetate, 3-sulfate, was discovered in Fusarium spp. Forty Fusarium strains belonging to F. sporotrichioides, F. chlamydosporum, E. equiseti, F. acuminatum, F. sambucinum, F. culmorum, and F. graminearum produced the steroid on white corn grits at 25°C for 20 days. This steroid sulfate is one of the more abundant and easily attainable microbial steroids. At a concentration of 160 μg/ml, it inhibited the growth of six fungi, two gram-positive bacteria, and an alga, as well as the germination of both wheat and tomato seeds.