Project Number: 6408-41000-006-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Sep 12, 2004
End Date: Sep 11, 2009

Objective:
Objective 1) Identify bioactive natural compounds for herbicidal, insecticidal, fungicidal, antimicrobial and nutraceutical use from Vaccinium species, allelopathic rice varieties, and other sources. Objective 2) Determine and manipulate the biosynthetic pathways of bioactive compound(s) in blueberry and rice.

Approach:
General procedures for isolation of secondary metabolites will be employed such as solvent extractions, distillations, column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Identification of biologically active compounds will be done using spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, MS, NMR). Extracts, fractions, and pure compounds will be tested for phytotoxic, antifungal, algaecidal and/or termiticidal activities. Phytotoxicity, antifungal and algaecidal assays being carried out routinely at NPURU will be utilized. Activity against the Formosan subterranean termite will be performed at the USDA-ARS, Formosan Subterranean Research Unit, New Orleans, LA. Biosynthetic studies will be performed by feeding with 13C-labelled precursors and incorporation will be determined by 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Molecular biology experiments will be performed using standard protocols.