Structural characterization and metabolite profiling of the facultative marine fungus Paecilomyces variotii

A new Paecilomyces variotii strain was isolated from the marine habitat. The fungal biomass necessary for the chemical study was produced with success, at a laboratory scale. A total of 28 structural groups were identified from volatile compounds that, in the main, are normal lipid compounds involved in the fatty acid pathway, fragments from their catabolism, terpenoids, and a metabolite from the shikimic acid route. In addition, two non-volatile compounds, triolein and ergosterol peroxide, were isolated and identified by spectroscopy. This is the first report to describe these compounds for the species P. variotii , suggesting its potential use as a natural source to produce nutraceuticals and functional foods.