CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN CHAETOMIUM GLOBOSUM

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Abstract
Summary: The uptake of the hexoses, glucose, fructose and mannose, by resting mycelium of Chaetomium globosum results in synthesis of the reserve carbohydrates, trehalose and glycogen, which form, respectively, 5–7% and 12–23% of the dry mycelium. Glucose is the only free reducing sugar present in detectable amounts. The presence of galactose and mannose in acid extracts of mycelium suggests that polymers of the galacto‐mannan type are important components of the cell wall. Mannitol forms a very small proportion of the total cellular carbohydrates but its level is two to three times greater in mycelium incubated on fructose or mannose than when incubated on glucose. There is an increase in the level of polyol during starvation of the mycelium as glycogen disappears and glucose accumulates. These observations are discussed in relation to the distribution and metabolism of fungal reserve carbohydrates in general.