CHED 842 |
| Gil Belofsky1, Ryan D. Leib1, Kavon Azadi1, and Estelle Levetin2. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 600 S. College Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104-3189, (2) Department of Biological Science, The University of Tulsa, 600 S. College Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104-3189 |
| The fungus Myrothecium cinctum was found to be present in a Las Vegas, NV school in an EPA study, and linked to negative health effects. HPLC methods for analysis of M. cinctum crude extracts have been established, and one pure mycotoxin has been isolated. The goal of this project is the discovery of plant compounds that inhibit production of M. cinctum mycotoxins. Plants have a history of competition with fungi, and are likely to contain antifungal compounds. To date, several plant extracts have been found to inhibit M. cinctum mycotoxin production or fungal growth. These extracts were further purified by column chromatography. Structural features of plant and fungal compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Plant compounds that inhibit mycotoxin production could help reduce the impact of fungal infections in humans, and lead to techniques for detoxification of fungal growth on food crops. There are few clinically effective antifungal agents available; research in this area has typically been directed toward killing fungi rather than toxin inhibition. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 29, 2004 Anaheim Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |