A search for Western Australian actinomycete metabolites active against Phytopthora cinnamomi

Plaatjes, Celestine Vida (1997) A search for Western Australian actinomycete metabolites active against Phytopthora cinnamomi. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to effect biochemical control of the jarrah dieback fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) by rare actinomycetes isolated from soil in Western Australia. Five isolates of actinomycetes were initially selected on the basis that they displayed very strong growth inhibition of the pathogen, but only three of these could be cultivated successfully. These three were found to be identical and their classification revealed them to be Actinomadura rubra.

Actinomadura rubra was cultured in an aqueous broth and the crude metabolites extracted from it. Standard techniques were used to effect the purification of the active metabolites. The extracts were subjected to various spectroscopic techniques in an attempt to identify the structure of the compounds present. These methods included one dimensional 1H- and 13CNMR experiments, as well as their two dimensional counterparts such as Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Correlation (HMQC) and Correlation Spectroscopy (COSY). Mass and infrared spectroscopy were also used.

Initial expectations were that it was highly probable that novel antibiotics would be discovered because the extreme conditions under which the microorganisms were isolated would favour the selection of rare actinomycetes. The complexity of the problem and time limitations imposed by a Master’s degree have thus far not permitted the identification of the material isolated.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters by Research)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Notes:	Note to the author: If you would like to make your thesis openly available on Murdoch University Library's Research Repository, please contact: repository@murdoch.edu.au. Thank you.
Supervisor(s):	Giles, Robin and Roos, Gregory
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/52516

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