title: Fungal exudates.
abstract: The exudates or liquid droplets on various structures of a number of fungi were examined. The droplets were enveloped in membranous material and were associated with actively growing mycelia, including fruiting structures. Osmium tetroxide vapour-fixed droplets of Claviceps purpurea, Myrothecium roridum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Thanathephorus cucumeris did not dry to a powder but remained intact as spheres when freeze-dried. Fractured spheres, examined with the scanning electron microscope, showed the presence of a membranous structure similar to that of rapidly frozen colloidal solutions with the ice crystals removed by sublimation. Locules or cavities within the freeze-dried droplets are thought to be due to the entrapment of air when droplets coalesce. Biochemical analyses of the exudates showed that acid phosphatase, beta-glucosidase, acid and alkaline protease. RNase polygalacturonase and cellulase enzymes as well as oxalic acid and ammonia were present.
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010070:Oxalates / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010070:Oxalates; D000641:Ammonia