Muscodor is a fungal genus that, so far has only been
isolated as an endophyte from certain tropical tree and vine
species in certain regions of Central/South America,
Australia and Thailand [1–4]. Several species in this fungal
genus have been recognized on the basis of their partial 18S
rDNA sequences as well as their unique physiological and
biochemical properties [1–4]. In addition, several new
isolates of M. albus have recently been obtained that have
nearly perfect ITS-5.8 S rDNA partial sequence similarities
with the original isolate of Muscodor albus (isolate cz-620),
yet each produces different volatile organic compounds
(VOC’s) with antibiotic properties [5]. A characteristic of
the Muscodor sp. isolated thus far is that each produces one
or more VOC’s that have biological activity [6,7]. In the case
of Muscodor vitigenus the bioactive compound is naphthalene
and the fungus has insect repellant activity whereas, in
the case of M. albus a multitude of VOC’s eminating from it
have antibiotic properties [6,7].
Because isolates of M. albus can affect a broad range of
both bacterial and fungal pathogens in practical test
situations, they are being considered for use in agriculture,
medical and industrial applications [8,9]. Therefore, since
the range of VOC’s made by Muscodor spp. is so broad it
seems reasonable to assume that still other isolates of this
organism may exist in other locales that could produce other
unreported compounds in their VOC mixture that have
useful and previously unobserved biological activities.