title: Determination of ergosterol as a measure of fungal growth using Si 60 HPLC.
abstract: In order to determine to fungal growth of Fusarium graminearum 480, a method was developed for the extraction and estimation of ergosterol, a sterol specific for fungi. This method includes the direct saponification of bound ergosterol to fungal mycelia followed by n-hexane extraction and quantification using. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-detection. This procedure proved to be superior compared with other methods, since the yield of ergosterol yields was higher (up to 40%). n-Hexane extracts contained minor impurities which interfered with the UV-detection and the retention time of the compound was halved using Si 60 HPLC. The protein and ergosterol contents in F. graminearum cultures increased proportionally over a 3-week incubation period. The fungal formation of the mycotoxin zearalenone started at a level of 50 mg/kg ergosterol and increased rapidly in the stationary phase of growth, which was characterized by decreasing rates of ergosterol formation.
authors.affiliation: Bayerische Landesanstalt für Ernährung, München, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zill
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Engelhardt
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Wallnöfer
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000032:analysis*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005670:Fusarium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D015025:Zearalenone; D004875:Ergosterol