Medicarpin, an antifungal compound identified in hexane extract of Dalbergia congestiflora Pittier heartwood

Abstract The Dalbergia congestiflora Pittier tree, known in Mexico as campinceran, is a species from the tropical and mountain deciduous forests of western Mexico. Its heartwood is considered to have great beauty and is highly valued in the international market due to its excellent physical and mechanical properties, and its natural resistance to fungal attack. In the present work, the antifungal effect of various extracts from the D. congestiflora Pittier heartwood were evaluated against the Trametes versicolor fungus. A hexane extract (250 mg l −1 ) caused 100% growth inhibition, as did a crystalline substance isolated from the same extract (150 mg l −1 ) characterized as (+)-3-hydroxy-9-methoxypterocarpan or (+)-Medicarpin by MS and NMR spectroscopy.