Synthesis and antifungal activity of 2-allylphenol derivatives against fungal plant pathogens

- 2-Allylphenol is an effective fungicide against a number of plant pathogens.
- Major metabolites derived from 2-allylphenol were synthesized and analyzed.
- Activity of the metabolites against fungal plant pathogens was evaluated in vitro.
- Metabolite 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol was the most active in pathogen suppression.

2-Allylphenol (2-AP) is an effective fungicide against a number of plant pathogens, which can be metabolized and bio-transformed to four chemical compounds by Rhizoctonia cerealis. To determine if its degradation affects antifungal activity, two major metabolites derived from 2-AP including 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol and 2-(3-hydroxypropyl) phenol were synthesized. Inhibition of mycelial growth of several plant pathogens by the metabolites was evaluated, and structures of two metabolites were determined by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Among these metabolites, only 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol inhibited test pathogens effectively. EC50 values of 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol for inhibition of mycelial growth of R. cerealis, Pythium aphanidermatum, Valsa mali and Botrytis cinerea ranged from 1.0 to 23.5 μg/ml, which were lower than the parental fungicide 2-AP that ranged from 8.2 to 48.8 μg/ml. Hyphae of R. cerealis and P. aphanidermatum treated with 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol were twisted. Newly developed hyphae were slender, twisted and swollen on the tip, while old hyphae were hollow and ruptured. This is the first report indicating the formation of 2-(2-hydroxypropyl) phenol may have contributed to toxicity of 2-allylphenol in control of plant pathogens.

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