Browsing by Author "Kate, A."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Chemical characterization of endolichenic fungi, Talaromyces pinophilus residing in the lichen, Arthonia sp. collected from mangroves of Sri Lanka
    (Institute of Chemistry Ceylon Adamantane House, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Shevkar, C.; Armarkar, A.; Maduranga, K.; Weerasinghe, R.; Pandey, K.; Kalia, K.; Paranagama, P. A.; Kate, A.
    Lichens are one of the interesting symbiotic organisms comprising of algae, fungi and other microbiota. The complex miniature ecosystem of lichen provides a competitive environment to endolichenic fungi, which makes it suitable for the production of structurally diverse molecules. Mangroves of Sri Lanka are well-known for the presence of various type of lichens and hence, in this study, 32 specimens of lichen were collected from mangroves of Puttalam Lagoon of Sri Lanka. LCMS based dereplication study was carried out for the isolated 70 cultures of endolichenic fungi from lichens. Talaromin B and Ergochrome BB were present in the ethyl acetate extract of Talaromyces pinophilus along with probable novel compounds having m/z [M+H]+ 663.2321, 778.4128, 401.3029 with “no hit” in Dictionary of Natural Products (DNP). The mentioned extract showed promising anti-cancer activity having IC50 of 50.32 μg/mL tested against MCF-7 cell line (Human breast cancer cell line) by Alamar blue assay. The extract was then scaled up for further isolation of masses showing no hits in DNP. Here, 2 known and 2 new compounds were isolated with 95-98% purity from the scaled up fermentation batch including [NIPER20099_83_7/30_1] Peniazaphilin B and a macrocyclicpolyester [NIPER20099_83_7/30_2] (15G25α). Structural elucidation of two novel molecules is in process. All four molecules were tested in vitro against MCF-7 cell line and only one molecule [NIPER20099_83_7/30_3] having molecular weight 560.2045 showed promising activity with the IC50 value of 22.15μM. The study suggest Talaromyces pinophilus might serve as a source of novel cytotoxic hit. Investigating secondary metabolites of the endolichenic fungi might help us to unravel the complex ecosystems of lichen and help us understand its further therapeutic benefits.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Identification of Novel Bioactive Compounds, Neurosporalol 1 and 2 from an Endolichenic Fungus, Neurospora ugadawe Inhabited in the Lichen Host, Graphis tsunodae Zahlbr. from Mangrove Ecosystem in Puttalam Lagoon, Sri Lanka
    (ASSIIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMIISSTRY, 2021) Maduranga, H.; Weerasinghe, W.; Attanayake, R.; Santhirasegaram, S.; Shevkar, C.; Kate, A.; Weerakoon, G.; Samanthi, K.; Kalia, K.; Paranagama, P. A.
    Endolichenic fungi (ELF) have been recognized as a promising source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Sri Lanka, a biodiversity hotspot, harbours a remarkable diversity in mangrove ecosystems. In the present study, endolichenic fungi obtained from mangrove lichens of Puttalam lagoon were studied for their secondary metabolites. An endolichenic fungus, Neurospora ugadawe, isolated from the lichen host Graphis tsunodae Zahlbr. was identified up to the species level. Secondary metabolites of N. ugadawe were extracted into ethyl acetate and crude extract showed promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Bioassay guided separation on silica gel column chromatography and preparative TLC were performed to isolate the bioactive pure compounds. Two novel bioactive pure compounds were identified as Neurosporalol 1 and Neurosporalol 2. Neurosporalol 1 showed the highest antioxidant activity compared with the positive control BHT. Further, this compound showed very low anti-inflammatory activity compared to that of the positive control aspirin. Neurosporalol 2 showed comparable antioxidant and moderate anti-inflammatory activities.