Properties and Cost Effective Method for Production of the Antitumor Agent Duclauxin from Sporulating Penicillium herquei

Duclauxin, an antitumor agent, was isolated from sporulating Penicillium herquei (ATCC 34665) grown on a medium of peanut hulls supplemented with potato starch solution (termed "Gostar"). The medium was inoculated with a sporulating subculture of P.herquei established on a 2% potato starch slurry supplemented with mineral salts. The P. herquei grew as well on Gostar as on an enriched medium. Duclauxin was isolated in crystalline form from Gostar-grown P.herquei. Comparison of costs of duclauxin obtained from inexpensive Gostar versus costly enriched media indicated that Gostar reduces production expenses. Duclauxin was not effective as an antibiotic against certain species of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but a concentration-dependent inhibition of wheat coleoptile growth was observed. Duclauxin was characterized by melting point, optical rotation, IR and NMR spectroscopy, MS and X-ray diffraction.