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Sesquiterpenoid Phytoalexins From Fruits of Eggplants. E. W. B. Ward, Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, University Sub Post Office, London, Ontario N6A 5B7; C. H. Unwin(2), J. Hill(3), and A. Stoessl(4). (2)(3)(4)Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, University Sub Post Office, London, Ontario N6A 5B7. Phytopathology 65:859-863. Accepted for publication 10 March 1975. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-859.

The production of phytoalexins in eggplants (Solanum melongena) was investigated using Monilinia fructicola routinely as the inducing fungus, but also Penicillium frequentans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium oxysporum f. vasinfectum for comparison. Five sesquiterpenes in varying proportions and with varying degrees of antifungal activity were induced by each of the fungi. These included lubimin, formerly described from potatoes, and a biogenetically related bicyclic enone. Two additional sesquiterpenes, probably artifacts, were also isolated. The results indicate that the major diffusable ether-soluble stress compounds in eggplant are sesquiterpenes as in other Solanaceae, and that while there are biogenetic relationships both between the compounds demonstrated in eggplants, and to phytoalexins produced in other species, phytoalexin production itself appears to be nonspecific.