Abstract
We have been studying physiologically active substances produced by microorganisms which are isolated in our laboratory1).A grain named Aspergillus sp.No.Y-8980which was isolated frorn a soil sample collected at Yoron Island in Kagoshima Prefecture was identified with a Microorganisin classified in Aspergillus, terreus group2) on the taxonomic properties.A. physiologically active substance, produced by the strain was obtained as slightly yellow needle crystals.The substance was melted at127°C and showed [α] 20D-23.9°C, C7H8O4 (MW: 154.12).From various physico-chemical properties, the substance was identical to terreic acid (5, 6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-ptoluquinone) 8, 4).Moreover, it was found that the substance demonstrated effects on morphological degeneration in HeLa cells as well as inhibition and prolongation of survival.time in EHRLICH ascites carcinoma cells.No report on such anti-tumor effects as above with regards to terreic acid was presented previously This paper describes taxonomy of the producing strain;production, isolation, physico-chemical properties, chemical structure, biological properties and anti-tuinor effects on the substance.
