Objective: The present study investigates the modulation of cholestanol glucoside (CG) biosynthesis by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in response to oxidative, osmotic and heat shock stresses.Methods: The fungal cultures were subjected to oxidative stress by supplementing the culture media with menadione or H2O2 to the desired final concentrations. Osmotic stress was implemented by the addition of the desired concentrations of NaCl or sorbitol. For heat-shock treatments, the fungal cultures were subjected to required temperature variations. Each stress treatment was carried out at different time points so as to include different stages of fungal growth.Results: Oxidative stress enhanced CG yield by the fungus by 1.8-fold (88.3±0.6 mg/l) where as osmotic and heat shock stresses proved to be poor enhancers of CG production.Conclusions: Our findings enable a cost-effective, large scale production of CG by L. theobromae and more over throws light on the possible antioxidant activity of the compound in the organism.Â
