FR227244, a novel antifungal antibiotic from Myrothecium cinctum No. 002 Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and physico-chemical properties

A novel antifungal antibiotic, FR227244, was isolated from the culture broth of a fungal strain No. 002. The strain was identified as Myrothecium cinctum from morphological and physiological characteristics. This compound was isolated from the culture broth by solvent extraction, HP-20 and YMC ODS gel column chromatographies, and n-hexane precipitation. FR227244 is a white powder which melts at 210 to approximately 211 degrees C and possesses the molecular formula C38H58O11. FR227244 is a novel triterpene glycoside with antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. The effects of FR227244 on the morphology of A. fumigatus were shown to be similar to those of FR901379 which is a known 1,3-beta-glucan synthase inhibitor.