Preparation of protoplasts from mycelium and arthroconidia of Geotrichum candidum

Abstract
Protoplasts were released from mycelium and the cylindrical type of anthroconidia from G. candidum by a lytic enzyme (Novozym 234). The enzyme was unable to release protoplasts from the ellipsoidal type of arthroconidia, which reflects a difference in the cell walls of the 2 types of conidia. The conditions necessary to obtain stable protoplasts were determined. Magnesium sulfate (0.8 M) was the best osmotic stabilizer for the formation of protoplasts, whereas mannitol and magnesium sulfate could be used for regeneration. The regeneration was faster with mannitol than with magnesium sulfate.