Two monoacyl glycerols isolated from B. mycoides, B. weihenstephanensis and B. toyonensis and their antifungal activity against Lasiodiplodia theobromae, pathogen of cacao

Abstract

In this work two known monoacyl glycerols, glycerol 1-monopalmitate and glycerol 1-monostearate, were isolated for the first time from B. mycoides, B. weihenstephanensis and B. toyonensis. These monoacyl glycerol compounds showed good antifungal activity specially, against Lasiodiplodia theobromae, which is the fungus affecting cacao. A study of the cell damage done by these monoacyl glycerols was performed in three phytopathogens, resulting in severe damage of reproductive structures, indicating for the first time the potent antifungal activity of these compounds. It could be a promising result to apply in agriculture crops. This work contributes with the research about Bacillus species secreting metabolites, since this is the first time that is reported about the mono acyl glycerols as compounds secreted by Bacillus species. Furthermore, this work explores the role that Bacillus genus can play in controlling important fungi in agriculturally important crops such as cacao.