title: In situ microscopic observation of chitin and fungal cells with chitinous cell walls in hydrothermal conditions.
abstract: Recent findings of intact chitin in fossil records suggest surprisingly high recalcitrance of this biopolymer during hydrothermal treatments. We also know in the experience of everyday life that mushroom, cells of which have chitinous cell walls, do not fall apart however long they are simmered. We used in situ optical microscopy to examine chitin and fungal cells with chitinous cell walls during hydrothermal treatments, and obtained direct evidence that they remained undegraded at temperatures well over 200 °C. The results show very hot and compressed water is needed to make mushrooms mushy.
authors.affiliation: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deguchi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chuo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsujii
authors.affiliation: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan.
authors.forename: Koki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horikoshi
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002686:Chitin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008853:Microscopy; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002686:Chitin