CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HYPHAL AND SCLEROTIAL WALLS OF SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII SACC.

Abstract

The chemical components of the sclerotial and hyphal walls of the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. are compared. Sclerotial walls contain a melanin-like pigment which is absent from hyphal walls. They are also higher in non-hydro-lyzable residue, in lipids, and in ash content. In both walls, glucose, mannose, and glucosamine are found after acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysates of sclerotial and hyphal walls contain 10 and 13 amino acids, respectively, L-arginine, L-serine, and L-proline being absent from sclerotial walls. The possible role of some of these components in the resistance of the sclerotia to biological and chemical degradation is discussed.