Antimicrobial Properties of Cytochalasins and Their Alteration of Fungal Morphology

Abstract

Summary: Cytochalasin A inhibited growth of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and increased motility of the latter. Both cytochalasins A and D have antifungal properties, inducing branching and, at higher concentrations, swelling of hyphal tips in Botrytis cinerea. Cytochalasin B showed neither antibacterial nor antifungal activity. The observed antimicrobial effects of cytochalasins A and D are discussed in relation to those of related antibiotics.