Homobotcinolide: a Biologically Active Natural Homolog of Botcinolide from Botrytis Cinerea

A novel natural product exhibiting biological activity was isolated from a strain of Botrytis cinerea that had infected raspberry fruit (Rubus ideaus). Liquid fermentation and bioassay-directed fractionation of the organism yielded a compound with molecular formula C22H38O8 that is trivially named homobotcinolide. It significantly inhibited etiolated wheat coleoptile growth. Greenhouse-grown bean, corn, and tobacco plants were also affected by exogenous application of homobotcinolide, severe chlorosis and necrosis being exhibited in corn. The compound is a polyhydroxylated nonalactone esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid.