Biologically active phenolic metabolites of a Verticicladiella species

The metabolites produced when a Verticicladiella species (Canadian Forestry Service strain C728), the causative agent of the black stain root disease of many conifers, is grown in liquid culture have been investigated. Orcinol, orcinol monomethyl ether, 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone, and the α-L-rhamnopyranosides of orcinol and orcinol methyl ether have been isolated and identified. Orcinol methyl ether and its rhamnoside both show antibacterial activity and orcinol methyl ether also inhibits the growth of pine germlings. The general antibacterial activity of 5-alkylresorcinols and their monomethyl ethers is reported.