The metabolism of Aspergillus tamarii Kita. Kojic acid production

Abstract

Studies of the growth and metabolism of A. tamarii Kita in the presence of fluoride and iodoacetate, and in the absence of phosphate, have shown that kojic acid does not arise by way of sugar phosphates, nor can it be produced by the organism from mould substance grown on a variety of substrates. Addition of fixatives for acetaldehyde has little effect on kojic acid production. Of a large group of substrates examined, only glycerol, the pentoses, pentahydric and hexahydric alcohols, hexoses and sucrose gave rise to kojic acid. Sucrose and glucose give larger yields than fructose and galactose.