FERMENTATIVE PRODUCTION OF EXOCELLULAR GLUCANS BY FLESHY FUNGI.
Two specimens of higher fungi produced exocellular beta-1, 3-glucans when their mycelial forms were cultivated under submerged aerobic conditions. Plectania occidentalis NRRL 3137 consumed up to 6% glucose or xylose with about 30% conversion to polymer in a medium composed of hydrolyzed soy protein, salts, and thiamine. A 5% inoculum was used in a 10-day shaken fermentation. After dilution of the culture liquors and partial disruption of mycelia with a blender, solids were removed by centrifugation, and the polymer was precipitated by the admixture of 2 volumes of ethyl alcohol. A second polymer was formed in 40 to 65% yield by fermentation with Helotium sp. NRRL 3129, which in the imperfect stage would be identified as Monilia sp. It consumed up to 4% glucose, fructose, mannose, or sucrose in 60 to 72 hr. A 2% inoculum in a medium composed of commercial defatted soy flakes, phosphate, and thiamine in tap water gave a satisfactory fermentation. This polymer was precipitated by the addition of 0.5 volume of ethyl alcohol. Both organisms have a broad pH optimum on the slightly acidic side and did best at about 25 C.
D001089:Arabinose; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D003470:Culture Media; D005285:Fermentation; D005632:Fructose; D005658:Fungi; D005690:Galactose; D005936:Glucans; D005947:Glucose; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007785:Lactose; D008320:Maltose; D008358:Mannose; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012106:Research; D013395:Sucrose; D013696:Temperature; D014994:Xylose
D003470:Culture Media; D005936:Glucans; D011134:Polysaccharides; D005632:Fructose; D013395:Sucrose; D008320:Maltose; D014994:Xylose; D001089:Arabinose; D005947:Glucose; D007785:Lactose; D008358:Mannose; D005690:Galactose
ARABINOSE; CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM; CULTURE MEDIA; EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY; FERMENTATION; FRUCTOSE; FUNGI; GALACTOSE; GLUCOSE; HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION; LACTOSE; MALTOSE; MANNOSE; POLYSACCHARIDES; PRECIPITATION; SUCROSE; TEMPERATURE; XYLOSE