Lathyroxins A and B, Phytotoxic Monosubstituted Phenols Isolated from Ascochyta lentis var. lathyri, a Fungal Pathogen of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus)

Ascochyta lentis var. lathyri has recently been reported to be the causal agent of Ascochyta blight of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), a disease characterized by the appearance of necrotic lesions of leaves and stems. Considering the novelty of the pathogen and the possible involvement of secondary metabolites in symptom appearance, a study was carried out to ascertain the capability of this fungus to produce bioactive metabolites. Some phytotoxic phenols were isolated from the culture filtrates of the fungus. In particular, two new phytotoxic metabolites, named lathyroxins A and B, were characterized by spectroscopic methods as 4-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethoxypropyl)phenol and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol, respectively, and the R absolute configuration of C-2 of their 2-dimethoxy- and 2,3-diol-propyl side chain was assigned. Moreover, other well-known fungal metabolites, namely, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-methoxyphenol, and tyrosol, were also identified. Lathyroxins A and B showed interesting phytotoxic properties, being able to cause necrosis on leaves and to inhibit seed germination and rootlet elongation. Moreover, both of the new metabolites had no effect against bacteria, arthropods, and nematodes.