Bassianolide is a cyclooctadepsipeptide insecticide isolated from the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii, first reported by University of Tokyo researchers in 1978. It was found during the course of screening for insecticidal fungal metabolites and isolated from fungal mycelia. Structurally, it is composed of 4 moles each of L-N-methyl-leucine and D-a-hydroxyisovaleric acid. Interestingly, another metabolites derived from B. bassiana include beauvericin, enniantin A and ferricrocin. This suggests that the polyketide synthase genes pks14 and pks15 genes, their proteins, or associated cluster components could be associated with pathways involved in insect pathogenesis of this fungus, like those related to secondary metabolism. Bassianolide is related to the insecticidal and nematocidal actives, PF1022 complex and the synthetic anthelminthic emodepside. Bassianolide is one of the active components of Beauveria bassiana biocontrol products. It is used as a biopesticide to control insect agricultural insect pests. The compound has potential in integrated pest management. Bassianolide can also be used to study the relationship between fungi, insects, and plants.
Bassianolide is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF and DMSO.
