Conversion of [19-2H2]fusicocca-2,10(14)-diene into its 8β-ol and fusicoccins by Phomopsis (Fusicoccum) amygdali

Feeding experiments of (+)-[19-2H2]fusicocca-2,10(14)-diene, a deuterated derivative of a new candidate for the initially-forming fusicoccane-hydrocarbon in the fusicoccin biosynthesis, with the fusicoccin-producing fungus Phomopsis (Fusicoccum) amygdali have revealed its incorporation into fusicoccins J and A through (+)-fusicocca-2,10(14)-dien-8β-ol, whose occurrence in the mycelial extract has been confirmed by direct comparison of its 1H NMR and GC–MS data with those of the synthetic sample, proving the early biosynthetic route leading to the aglycons of fusicoccins.