Extraction, Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Anthraquinones from Aspergillus Cristatus Derived from Fuzhaun Brick Tea

Aspergillus cristatus, a probiotic fungus isolated from Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), produces various valuable but uncharacterized secondary metabolites. We hypothesized that diverse anthraquinones metabolized by A. cristatus possess promising bioactivities and influence fermentation process of FBT. In this study, five benzaldehyde derivatives, three indolediketopiperazine alkaloids and twelve anthraquinones were profiled from A. cristatus, and the methods for extracting and purifying anthraquinones were established. Twelve anthraquinones were identified as (+)-variecolorquinone A, fallacinol, (+)1-O-demethylvariecolorquinone A, dermolutein, citreorosein, endocrocin, questin, rubrocristin, emodin, catenarin, physcion and erythroglaucin, providing clues to deduce their biosynthetic pathways. Functionally, these compounds demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Notably, emodin, catenarin, citreorosein and erythroglaucin exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the antibacterial metabolites, especially emodin and catenarin, demonstrated potent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, elucidating that A. cristatus antagonized pathogens during FBT production. Collectively, these anthraquinones hold promise as stable colorants and effective preservatives in food industry.