Anti-microbial compositions

Abstract

Antimicrobial compounds from Epicoccum purpurascens (syn. E. negrum ) for use against plant and fungi pathogens. An orange yellow metabolite was isolated, the structure elucidated as a small group of compounds Epipyrone A-C and fungicidal activity demonstrated against plant pathogens, for example Botrytis cinerea and Lecanicillium muscarium . Agricultrual and pharmaceutical compositions are provide, and use thereof in treating microbial infections in an animal or plant are also provided.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . An agricultural composition comprising:
 an agriculturally acceptable carrier; and   an anti-microbial compound of formula (I):   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein 
         R is selected from the group consisting of: 
         C-β-D-galactopyranose; C-α-D-galactofuranose; C-β-D-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactopyranose; C-α-L-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactofuranose; or related pyranose; and 
         a salt, derivative, tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, solvate or sugar analogue thereof. 
       
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent; and   an anti-microbial compound of formula (I):   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein 
         R is selected from the group consisting of: 
         C-β-D-galactopyranose; C-α-D-galactofuranose; C-β-D-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactopyranose; C-α-L-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactofuranose; or related pyranose; and 
         a salt, derivative, tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, solvate, sugar analogue, prodrug thereof. 
       
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the composition is in the form of a powder. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the composition is in the form of a powder. 
     
     
         5 . An antimicrobial solution, which comprises a composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . Use of a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein 
         R is selected from the group consisting of: 
         C-β-D-galactopyranose; C-α-D-galactofuranose; C-β-D-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactopyranose; C-α-L-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactofuranose; or related pyranose; and 
         a salt, derivative, tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, solvate or sugar analogue thereof in the manufacture of a composition for the treatment of a microbial infection in a plant or a plant part thereof. 
       
     
     
         7 . The agricultural composition as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the microbial infection is a fungal infection. 
     
     
         8 . The agricultural composition as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the plant part is a fruit crop plant or a vegetable crop plant. 
     
     
         9 . Use of a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein 
         R is selected from the group consisting of: 
         C-β-D-galactopyranose; C-α-D-galactofuranose; C-β-D-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactopyranose; C-α-L-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactofuranose; or related pyranose; and 
         a salt, derivative, tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, solvate, sugar analogue or prodrug thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of microbial infection in an animal or a animal part thereof. 
       
     
     
         10 . The use as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing, removing or inhibiting a microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, comprising the step:
 applying to the plant or plant part thereof a treatment effective amount of a composition comprising:   a compound of formula (I):   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein 
         R is selected from the group consisting of: 
         C-β-D-galactopyranose; C-α-D-galactofuranose; C-β-D-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactopyranose; C-α-L-galactofuranose; C-β-L-galactofuranose; or related pyranose; and 
         an agriculturally acceptable salt, derivative, tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, solvate or sugar analogue thereof. 
       
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the method also comprises the step of:
 applying to the plant or plant part thereof a treatment effective amount of the composition to prevent or inhibit the growth of  Botrytis  or  Lecanicillium.    
 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the plant part is a fruit or a vegetable. 
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing, treating or ameliorating a microbial infection, which comprises administering a composition as claimed in  claim 2 , to a subject in need of such prevention, treatment or amelioration. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the subject is a non-human animal subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the administration comprises topically administering the composition. 
     
     
         17 . An antimicrobial solution, which comprises a composition according to  claim 2 .