title: Chitosan-mediated changes in cell wall composition, morphology and ultrastructure in two wood-inhabiting fungi.
abstract: The effect of chitosan on cell wall deposition was investigated in the two wood-inhabiting fungal species Trichoderma harzianum (CBS 597.91) and Sphaeropsis sapinea (NZFS 2725). The study used three independent analytical techniques to quantify chitin in the fungal mycelium. A colorimetric method for the detection of D-glucosamine was compared with two gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) methods employing alditol acetates analysis and pyrolysis. The latter used a stable-isotope-labelled internal standard, d(3)-N-acetyl glucosamine. At least in the case of S. sapinea, the study provided evidence of an increase in the chitin content in the mycelium due to chitosan treatment, indicating that chitosan treatment affected cell wall deposition. Electron microscopy techniques showed alteration in surface morphology and cell wall texture due to chitosan treatment. The implications of these results are discussed with a view to analysing possible mechanisms for growth inhibitory effects of chitosan on fungal hyphae.
authors: Ensis, Wood Processing, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, New Zealand.
authors: Damiano
authors: D
authors: Vesentini
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Steward
authors: Adya P
authors: AP
authors: Singh
authors: Roderick
authors: R
authors: Ball
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Daniel
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Franich
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002686:Chitin / Q000032:analysis*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003124:Colorimetry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D025282:Mycelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D014934:Wood / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan; D005944:Glucosamine