Structure and Biosynthesis of Chrysogine, a Metabolite of Penicillium chrysogenum

From a culture broth of Penicillium chrysogenum, a new metabolite, chrysogine, was isolated and its structure was elucidated as 2-(1-hydroxyetyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone. Fermentation of the fungus with anthranilic acid and lactic acid, or with anthranilic acid increased the yield of chrysogine, while that with lactic acid rather decreased the yield of chrysogine. Incubation of the fungus with anthranilic acid and lactic acid analogs, such as propionic acid, glycolic acid, α-hydroxybutyric acid, pyruvic acid, and malic acid, however, gave no congeners but increased the yield of chrysogine.