CELLULOSE DECOMPOSITION BY PYTHIUM

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Abstract
Pythium isolates exhibited slight or no cellulose-decomposing activity in terms of strength loss produced in "scoured" (heated in 1% NaOH) cotton fabric incubated with the fungus. When, however, scoured fabric was swollen in 18% sodium hydroxide, neutralized, and inoculated with the fungus before the fabric dried, major strength losses occurred. Casamino acids, yeast extract, and asparagin added singly to the test medium caused relatively little or no increase in strength loss. Cotton fiber in the natural swollen state found in the unopened cotton boll underwent major strength loss during incubation with several Pythium isolates.It is concluded that compactness of the cellulose structure in an unswollen cotton fiber offers an impediment to degradation by Pythium.