Altenuene is a naturally occurring secondary metabolite produced by certain fungal species, particularly Alternaria spp. It has attracted interest due to its biological activity. One of the primary applications of altenuene lies in agricultural research, where it is studied for its phytotoxic properties—its ability to damage plant tissues. This makes it relevant in understanding plant-pathogen interactions, especially in crops affected by Alternaria-induced diseases such as leaf blight and fruit rot.

In addition, altenuene exhibits moderate antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, prompting investigation into its potential use in developing bio-based fungicides or as a lead compound in pharmaceutical research. Its role in fungal virulence also makes it a target for studies aiming to control fungal contamination in food and feed, where Alternaria toxins can pose health risks. Research applications include toxin profiling, biosynthetic pathway analysis, and evaluation of detoxification methods in agricultural products.