Azoxystrobin

Azoxystrobin (brand name Amistar, Syngenta) is a systemic fungicide commonly used in agriculture. The substance is used as an active agent protecting plants and fruit/vegetables from fungal diseases. Azoxystrobin (brand name Amistar, Syngenta) is a systemic fungicide commonly used in agriculture. The substance is used as an active agent protecting plants and fruit/vegetables from fungal diseases. Azoxystrobin was discovered during research on Oudemansiella mucida and Strobilurus tenacellus, which are small white or brown coloured mushrooms commonly found in European forests. Not bigger than a few centimeters, these mushrooms attracted attention of scientists because of their remarkable ability to defend themselves. Their defense mechanism is based on the secretion of two substances, strobilurin A and oudemansin A. These substances allow them to keep their competitors at a distance and kill them when in range. Observations of this mechanism led to research that resulted in the development of azoxystrobin.The molecule was synthetised for the first time by Dr. Christopher Godfrey at Jealott's Hill International Research Centre in Bracknell (UK). After synthesizing experimental analogs of both substances (over 1400 were tested), azoxystrobin was found to be the most active and stable combination. The toxophore of azoxystrobin is the β-methoxyacrylate portion (shown in blue), which is present in the active compounds from both Oudemansiella mucida and Strobilurus tenacellus: These molecules bind very tightly to the Qo site of Complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby preventing production of ATP