Growth and conidiation of Trichoderma viride are affected by non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents

Nonsteroid antiinflammatory agents (NSAIA's) (inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and Lipoxygenase) of several structural series inhibited growth of Trichoderma viride. The most potent growth inhibitors were indomethacin and its derivative repanidal which inhibited in the range of 0.1 mmol/L. The weakest inhibitors were acetylsalicylic acid and lysine salicylate which exerted only a weak effect at concentrations above 1 mmol/L. The inhibition of growth was accompanied by a stimulation of conidiation in the dark. A LIGHT pulse increased the efficiency of these drugs to stimulate the conidiation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was as sensitive to NSAIA's as T. viride while Botrytis cinerea was less sensitive. The results indicate that arachidonate metabolism may play a role in the growth of fungi and may participate also in the process of conidiation.