Production of corynetoxins in vitro by Corynebacterium sp. isolated from annual ryegrass seedheads

Abstract

Corynetoxin complex is the family of tunicamycin-like antibiotics isolated from annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seedheads infected with a plant pathogenic Corynebacterium and identified as the causative toxins for annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) in Australia. Only trace amounts of corynetoxins have been reported to be produced in vitro. Enhanced in vitro production of corynetoxins by Corynebacterium sp. has now been demonstrated. The important conditions required were growth on an agar surface, absence of light, low incubation temperature and strain of the organism. Strains of the Corynebaterium sp. grown under conditions not supporting corynetoxin production failed to produce corynetoxins when subsequently grown under more favourable conditions. Even when maintained under the most favourable conditions, toxigenicity of strains declined on repeated subculturing. While levels of toxin typically produced in vitro were only about 5% of those found in infected ryegrass seedheads, they were high enough to be a useful source of corynetoxins for experimental purposes.