Induced secondary metabolites of the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum M10 through OSMAC approach

Background Fungi biosynthesize a wide range of chemically diverse secondary metabolites during processes of competition with other micro- and macro-organisms, symbiosis, parasitism, or pathogenesis. Some of these natural compounds have antibiotic properties, which allow the microbe to inhibit and/or kill their microbial competitors. Results In the course of an ongoing search for novel bioactive metabolites from Trichoderma harzianum M10 using OSMAC (One Strain MAny Compounds) strategy, a bioactive chromone derivative has been isolated. The 5-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-7-methoxychromone (1), purified for the first time from T. harzianum M10 and induced in specific medium (potato dextrose broth, PDB) and condition (light and shaking), has been obtained as pure crystals and its structure has been fully characterized using X-ray and spectroscopic methods. This metabolite revealed a significant antibiotic activity against Rhizoctonia solani (45% of growth inhibition after 24 h of incubation at a concentration of 100 ng plug(-1)) and significantly reduced the viability of colorectal human cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, metabolomic analysis allowed the identification of compounds modulated by the cultivating conditions. Among the statistically different molecules detected it was possible to identify siderophores, such as ferricrocin and coprogen B, harzianic acid (and its derivatives), and butenolides. Conclusion OSMAC strategy represents a valuable approach to overcome the limitations of experiments performed under laboratory conditions. Indeed, it is possible to modulate metabolites production by changing medium and conditions applied to the cultures. A specific set of conditions induced the production of a secondary metabolite never isolated from T. harzianum M10. The compound, a methoxychromone derivative, characterized by X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, IR, and NMR, displayed antimicrobial and antitumor activities.