Trichosetin, a novel tetramic acid antibiotic produced in dual culture of Trichoderma harzianum and Catharanthus roseus callus

Abstract

The dual culture of Trichoderma harzianum and Catharanthus roseus callus produced an antimicrobial compound with a remarkable activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Structural elucidation revealed that this compound, which we have named trichosetin, is a novel tetramic acid (2,4-pyrrolidinedione) antibiotic and a homolog of the fungal metabolite equisetin. This compound however, was not produced in the individual culture of T. harzianum or C. roseus callus.