Pyrenomycetes and Loculoascomycetes as sources of secondary metabolites

Over 400 secondary metabolites have been reported from members of the Pyrenomycetes and the Loculoascomycetes. Among these, members of the Hypocreaceae, the Clavicipitaceae, the Xylariaceae, the Melanosporaceae, and the Sordariaceae in the Pyrenomycetes, and those of the Pleosporaceae and the Sporormlaceae in the Loculoascomycetes have been explored frequently; and representative secondary metabolites produced by these fungi are illustrated. Many of them are reported to be phytotoxic and some of them have antibacterial or antifungal activities. Only recently were the compounds tested in screens targeted for specific enzyme inhibitors or receptoragonists/antagonists. This group of fungi are attractive for screening for novel natural products because of the diversity of species and physiology.