Natural and natural-like inhibitors of trichotecene B biosynthesis by Fusarium

The main objective of the experimental work was the study and research of compounds able to limit or block the biosynthesis of mycotoxins belonging to the group of trichothecenes B produced by <i>F. culmorum</i>, particularly, on the assumption that these compounds would interact with TRI5, the key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of trichothecenes. We chose and tested in vitro 23 compounds; their action on fungal growth and on the production of 3 ADON was evaluated. The results obtained have allowed us to select a series of molecules with inhibitory activity against 3 ADON by <i>F. culmorum</i> and some with fungicidal activity. A model of TRI5 of <i>F. culmorum</i> were selected and studied as target proteins, while 13 natural and natural-like compounds have been chosen on the basis of the action that had demonstrated in vitro tests against the production of 3 ADON and/or fungal growth, drawn, minimized and subjected to docking. The information obtained through the work of modeling and <i>in vitro</i> assays provide important information about the chemical and structural optimum for the construction of inhibitors molecules. A proteomic approach was adopted, by focusing on the activity of 5 compounds, on the expression of proteins in <i>F. graminearum</i> strain PH1. Despite the growing interest in natural phenolic compounds as potentially effective alternative to synthetic fungicides, yet little has been determined about their exact mechanism of action.