Benzyl and Phenyl Glucosinolates Are Metabolized by the Specific Plant Pathogen Alternaria Brassicicola but Not by the Generalist Fungal Pathogens Rhizoctonia Solani or Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum

The metabolism of benzyl and phenyl glucosinolates by three phytopathogenic fungal species is investigated and established that A. brassicicola metabolized intact benzyl and phenyl glucosinolates and the corresponding desulfo derivatives. Syntheses and spectroscopic characterization of benzyl and phenyl desulfo-glucosinolates are reported. Phenylacetonitrile and benzylisothiocyanate are the first metabolic products of benzyl glucosinolate; benzyl isothiocyanate is further metabolized to 3-benzyl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydrothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.