Five new hybrid peptide-polyketides, curvularides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Curvularia geniculata, which was obtained from the limbs of Catunaregam tomentosa. Structure elucidation for curvularides A-E (1-5) was accomplished by analysis of spectroscopic data, as well as by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Curvularide B (2) exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, and it also showed synergistic activity with a fluconazole drug.

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA, 1) was found in extracts of several strains of endophytic fungi. 3-NPA (1) exhibited potent antimycobacterial activity with the minimum inhibition concentration of 3.3 microM, but was inactive against NCI-H187, BC, KB, and Vero cell lines. Endophytes were found to produce high levels of 3-NPA (1), and therefore 3-NPA (1) accumulated in certain plants may be produced by the associated endophytes. 3-NPA (1) may be used as a chemotaxonomic marker for endophytic fungi. The structure of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, a nematicidal agent, should be revised to 3-NPA (1).

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