Unravelling the Secrets of α‐Pyrones from Aspergillus Fungi: A Comprehensive Review of Their Natural Sources, Biosynthesis, and Biological Activities

Abstract

Aspergillus, one of the most product‐rich and genetically robust genera, contains a diverse range of species with potential economic and ecological implications. Chemically, Aspergillus is one of the essential sources of polyketides, alkaloids, diphenyl ethers, diketopiperazines, and other miscellaneous compounds, displaying a variety of pharmacological activities. The α‐pyrones are unsaturated six‐membered lactones. Although α‐pyrone has a small structure, it is responsible for the structural diversity of several natural and synthetic compounds and multiple biological activities. In this review, we have summarized approximately 178 α‐pyrone containing metabolites derivatives identified/reported from terrestrial, marine, endophytic, and filamentous Aspergillus species, including their sources, biological properties, and biosynthetic pathways until mid‐2023, for the first time. This review is the first to compile and analyze the available data on α‐pyrone metabolites from Aspergillus, which could facilitate further research and innovation in this field. Additionally, it offers a valuable source of scaffolds for future bioactive drug development, as some of these metabolites have shown potent antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Therefore, this review has significant implications for the advancement of natural product chemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and medicine.