To determine the ability of fungi to metabolize sulphur- and oxygen-containing azaarenes, Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 9245 was grown in 125-ml flasks containing fluid Sabouraud medium. The cultures and controls were incubated at 28°C with shaking and dosed with 16.7 mM phenothiazine or phenoxazine. After incubation for 72h, the mycelia and filtrates were extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined residues analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Residual phenothiazine and phenoxazine were 21 and 22%, respectively, of the total UV absorbance at 254 nm. 2. The metabolites were identified by mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The fungus oxidized phenothiazine to phenothiazine sulphoxide, 3-hydroxyphenothiazine sulphoxide, phenothiazin-3-one, and 3-hydroxyphenothiazine and oxidized phenoxazine to phenoxazin-3-one. 3. Three of the four compounds produced by C. elegans from phenothiazine were identical to those produced by mammals, supporting the use of the fungus as a microbial model for drug metabolism.
Xenobiotica. 2001. V.31. P.799-809.

Although acetylenes are common as components of terrestrial plants, it is only within the last 30 years that biologically active polyacetylenes having unusual structural features have been reported from aquatic organisms: cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, invertebrates, and other sources. Naturally occurring aquatic acetylenes are of particular interest since many of them display important biological activities and possess antitumor, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifouling, antifungal, pesticidal, phototoxic, HIV inhibitory, and immuno-suppressive properties. There is no doubt that they are of great interest, especially for the medicinal and/or pharmaceutical industries. This review presents structures and describes cytotoxic and anticancer activities of more than 230 acetylenic metabolites isolated from aquatic organisms. With the computer program PASS some additional biological activities are also predicted, which point toward possible new applications of these compounds. This review emphasizes the role of aquatic acetylenic compounds as an important source of leads for drug discovery.
Natural Product Communications, 2006, 1 (89), 773-812.