6 OHOH HO 18m 0 Part of the antagonistic interaction between fungi.such as that between Trichoderma and other organisms,includes the production of a chitinase.This the allows the Trichode org nism.The hypha erma can then penetrate the target fungus and sequester its nutrients. 1.5 History of Fungal Metabolites The chemical activities of fungi have a long history.Many fungi,because of the competitive environment in which they live,produce antibiotics of varying effi- ciency.The Greek physician,Dioscorides described the use of an infusion that he called Agaricium,which was obtained from the larch polypore,Fomitopsis (Polypor and was used for the tre ment of c This biological a ivity has be d to the pr esence r old garicic o whose 0o yea discovered some years ago in the ice in the Alps between Italy and Austria,had the birch polypore,Piptoporus betulins,with him.This fungus is active against wound bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.There are records of the use of other fungi. particularly Ganoderma lucidum,in ancient Chinese medicine.The identification of moulds growing on cloth by their pigmentation and their treatment is described in the Old Testament of the Bible in Leviticus Chapter 13,Verse 47. Me(CH2)1sCHCO2H HOCCO,H CH2CO2H 1.6 The hallucinogenic properties of fungi such as Amanita muscari were known to several peoples.It is possibly the Soma which was used in parts of Asia and Scandinavia.There are records from travellers in the 18th century of its use. The toxicity of ergot was apparently known to the Syrians in 600Bc.The metabolites of the ot f ng a which con Ages as Ergotism involved damage to the nervous system and cular constriction,leading to death of the affected parts of the body.Sub sequently,medicinal uses ofergot were developed.In the early nineteenth century ergot was used to induce childbirth and to prevent post-natal haemorrhage.CO2H NH2 H R HO 1.3 R = H 1.4 R = OH OH OH 1.5 Part of the antagonistic interaction between fungi, such as that between Trichoderma and other organisms, includes the production of a chitinase. This allows the Trichoderma to attack the cell wall of its target organism. The hyphae of the Trichoderma can then penetrate the target fungus and sequester its nutrients. 1.5 History of Fungal Metabolites The chemical activities of fungi have a long history. Many fungi, because of the competitive environment in which they live, produce antibiotics of varying effi- ciency. The Greek physician, Dioscorides described the use of an infusion that he called Agaricium, which was obtained from the larch polypore, Fomitopsis (Polyporus) officinalis, and was used for the treatment of consumption (tuber￾culosis). This biological activity has been attributed to the presence of agaricic or laricic acid [a-cetylcitric acid (1.6)]. The ‘ice-man’, whose 5300 year old body was discovered some years ago in the ice in the Alps between Italy and Austria, had the birch polypore, Piptoporus betulinus, with him. This fungus is active against wound bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. There are records of the use of other fungi, particularly Ganoderma lucidum, in ancient Chinese medicine. The identification of moulds growing on cloth by their pigmentation and their treatment is described in the Old Testament of the Bible in Leviticus Chapter 13, Verse 47. Me(CH2)15CHCO2H HOCCO2H CH2CO2H 1.6 The hallucinogenic properties of fungi such as Amanita muscari were known to several peoples. It is possibly the Soma which was used in parts of Asia and Scandinavia. There are records from travellers in the 18th century of its use. The toxicity of ergot was apparently known to the Syrians in 600 BC. The metabolites of the ergot fungus, Claviceps purpurea which grows on rye, con￾taminated rye bread and brought about the disease known in the Middle Ages as St Anthony’s Fire. Ergotism involved damage to the nervous system and vas￾cular constriction, leading to death of the affected parts of the body. Sub￾sequently, medicinal uses of ergot were developed. In the early nineteenth century ergot was used to induce childbirth and to prevent post-natal haemorrhage. 6 Chapter 1