Journal of Fungi Article Napthoquinones from Neocosmospora sp.—Antibiotic Activity against Acidovorax citrulli, the Causative Agent of Bacterial Fruit Blotch in Watermelon and Melon Anthikan Klomchit 1, Jorge Daniel Calderin 2, Wuttichai Jaidee 3 , Kanchana Watla-iad 1 and Siraprapa Brooks 1,* 1 School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand;
[email protected] (A.K.);
[email protected] (K.W.-i.) 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA;
[email protected] 3 Medicinal Plant Innovation Center, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +66-5391-6771 Abstract: Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) is a bacterial disease that devastates Cucurbitaceae crops world- wide, causing significant economic losses. Currently, there is no means to treat or control the disease. This study focused on exploring the antibacterial properties of endophytic fungi against Acidovorax citrulli (Aac), the causative agent of BFB. Based on disc diffusion, time kill and MIC microdilution broth assays, four endophytes showed promise in controlling Aac. Nonetheless, only one strain, Neo- cosmospora sp. MFLUCC 17-0253, reduced the severity of disease on watermelon and melon seedlings up to 80%. Structure analysis revealed production of several compounds by the fungus. Three Citation: Klomchit, A.; Calderin, J.D.; of these secondary metabolites, including mixture of 2-methoxy-6-methyl-7-acetonyl-8-hydroxy- Jaidee, W.; Watla-iad, K.; Brooks, S. 1,4-maphthalenedione and 5,8-dihydroxy-7-acetonyl-1,4-naphthalenedione, anhydrojavanicin, and Napthoquinones from Neocosmospora Aac sp.—Antibiotic Activity against fusarnaphthoquinones B exhibited antagonistic activity against .