Identification of two pigments and a hydroxystilbene antibiotic from Photorhabdus luminescens.

Two yellow pigments were isolated for the first time from the entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens in liquid culture and were identified as the anthraquinone derivatives 3,8-dimethoxy-1-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (minor) and 1,3-dimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (major). A known antibiotic, 3,5-dihydroxy-4-isopropylstilbene, was also detected and for the first time showed strong fungicidal activity against several fungi of medical and agricultural importance.