BIOSYNTHESIS OF THE POLYPHENOLIC ACID METABOLITES OF POLYPORUS TUMULOSUS COOKE

Abstract

Growth and metabolite production by Polyporus tumulosus Cooke were shown to be markedly influenced by (a) the nature of the carbon source, (b) the carbon mitrogen ratio, and (c) the pH of the medium at the time of inoculation. Whereas in some instances growth and metabolite production could be altered independently, production of phenols was more usually correlated with a high growth rate. Further, variations in the conditions of culture were shown to alter the relative proportions of the several phenolic acids as well as the gross yield.The biochemical interrelationships of the metabolites were also investigated. Isotope incorporation experiments demonstrated that these compounds have their biosynthetic origin in the shikimic acid pathway rather than by that of acetate condensation. The primary shunt metabolites were located on two similar pathways and a probable relationship for the secondary shunt metabolites is suggested. The investigation has shown that the well-known fungal metabolite gentisic acid is produced in a biochemical sequence alternative to that usually described for this compound in microorganisms.