Bioactive secondary metabolites from Curvularia spp.: Natural alternatives for pest management in agriculture

Abstract

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture has raised concerns due to their environmental impact, development of resistant pest strains, and potential health risks. As a result, interest in safer alternative compounds for pest management is increasing. Fungal secondary metabolites, renowned for their structural diversity and biological activities, have emerged as promising alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The utilization of these natural compounds offers a sustainable approach to managing agricultural pests. This study investigates the chemical composition and biological activities of secondary metabolites isolated from a Curvularia spp., focusing on their phytotoxic and antifungal properties. Seven compounds—tyrosol, phenethyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenol, tyramine, and N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)acetamide—were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus, marking the first report of these metabolites in Curvularia species. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated significant phytotoxicity against Agrostis stolonifera, a monocot, with tyrosol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde identified as the active compounds. Additionally, phenethyl alcohol and N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)acetamide exhibited antifungal activity against Colletotrichum fragariae, the causative agent of strawberry anthracnose. These findings support the potential of Curvularia spp. as a source of bioactive compounds with applications in agriculture and plant disease management for sustainable crop protection strategies.