Microbispofurans A-C, plant growth-promoting furancarboxylic acids from plant root-derived Microbispora sp.

Microbispofurans A-C (1-3), new alkyl/alkenyl furancarboxylic acids, were isolated from the culture extract of the plant root-derived Microbispora sp. RD004716. The planar structures of 1-3 were determined by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Although 1-3 showed no appreciable antimicrobial activity or cytotoxicity, strong plant growth-promotion activity of the germinated red leaf lettuce seeds was observed at 10 μM. Furancarboxylic acids and their methyl esters were found in actinomycetes and fungi; however, the isolation of furandicarboxylic acid was unprecedented.