Abstract

MARQUEZ-FERNANDEZ, Olivia et al. Chemical composition of glomeruli produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Rev. Mex. Mic [online]. 2013, vol.38, pp.1-7. ISSN 0187-3180.

It is a well known fact that Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a phytopathogenic fungus that affects various crops in all types of climates; it is known as the causative agent of antracnosis. On the other hand, it has been observed that, unlike other phytopathogenic species, this one produces glomeruli of fatty nature. However, although there are many reports in the literature regarding fitotoxic metabolites of various species of Colletotrichun, relatively no relevance has been given to a massive production of fatty acids using members of this genus when compared to other phytopathogenic fungi. Based on this fact, the aim of this paper was to characterize the chemical nature of the glomeruli which were found to be made up of palmitic, oleic, estearic and Iinoleic acids in the proportions of 40.1, 35.2, 18.8 and 5.9% respectively. This conclusion was reached conducting spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Finally, the high production of fatty acids obtained in vitro as well as on fruiting bodies by C. gloeosporíoides opens the possibility of a better understanding about how this species is able to produce massive amounts of fatty acids as a possible non-selective strategy of invasion and penetration or as a mere evolutive characteristic of the genus which may be useful for its identification in the field.

Keywords : fatty acids; fatty glomeruli.