Methods and compositions relating to insect repellents from a novel endophytic fungus

• US 20040185031A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Montana State University
• Original Assignee: Montana State University
• Inventors: Strobel, Gary, Daisy, Bryn
• Granted Patent: US 7,267,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/93.5
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 63/30 Microbial fungi; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/145 Fungal isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/005 aromatic naphthacene C12P29/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/645 Fungi ; Processes using fungi
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/911 using fungi

Abstract

The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor vitigenus, from the liana, Paullinia paullinioides. This fungus produces naphthalene under certain cultural conditions that has chromatographic and mass spectral properties that are identical to authentic naphthalene. In a preferred embodiment, the naphthalene in the gas phase of M. vitigenus is useful in the repellency of unwanted insect pests. The unique biological activity of the novel endophyte suggests a wide range of potential practical applications, particularly in the area of insect repellents, insecticides, antimicrobials, anthelmintics and vermicides.

Claims

1. An isolated culture of Muscodor vitigenus and mutants thereof.

2. A composition comprising the isolated culture of claim 1 and at least one carrier.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the carrier is an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein said carrier is soil.

5. A method of repelling an insect from a first composition comprising contacting said first composition with a second composition comprising an isolated culture of M. vitigenus.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said first composition is a plant.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said plant is a plant part selected from the group consisting of seeds, fruits, stems, leaves and roots.

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said second composition is soil inoculated with an isolated culture of M. vitigenus.