Handbook Part 2 - International Mycological Association

PS4-391-0052
Biochemical screening of some members of Xylariaceae
A.S. Kshirsagar, R.V. Gandhe, R.D. Wakharkar, S.M. Rhatwal
Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerece, Pune, Maharashtra, India
The Xylariaceae is a large and well-known family of the Ascomycotina. Its members are world wide in their distribution
however in general this family is well represented in tropics. The family has been extensively investigated with regards
to secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites produced in liquid culture have been used as an aid to establish
a satisfactory systematic arrangement.
In India, Western Ghats of Maharashtra is a very rich area for the members of Xylariaceae. The reported work deals
with species of Hypoxylon, Xyalria and Nemania collected around Monsoon season from various localities of the
forests. These were identified with the help of traditional morphological characters using relevant literature. Xylaria is
found to be the dominant genera in India. The identified species were subjected to culture on malt extract agar
medium for obtaining progressive cultures that lead to production of secondary metabolites in liquid medium.
Succinic acid derivatives are the most frequently isolated metabolites till today. The screening of metabolites was
based upon chromatographic techniques for separation of major compounds and spectroscopic analysis for
structure determination and identification of the isolated metabolites. Since majority members of Xylariaceae are
wood habitants, selected enzymatic activities were also investigated. The details of methodology of extraction,
separation, purification and identification of compounds will be discussed during the poster presentation.
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