Changes in Gross Chemical Components of Trichophyton mentagrophytes During Incubation in Increased Carbon Dioxide Tensions

Abstract

Macroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes harvested from a culture grown on a medium rich in glucose contained 33% acid-soluble carbohydrate. Paper chromatography of hydrolysates showed glucose as the main sugar in this fraction; there was a trace of an unidentified sugar. Macroconidia from the same strain grown on the same medium but deficient in glucose contained 19% carbo-hydrate; hydrolysates of this fraction contained glucose, with traces of galactose and the unidentified sugar. Microconidia harvested from a second strain grown on a medium rich in glucose contained 11% acid-soluble carbohydrate; hydrolysates of this fraction also contained glucose with traces of galactose and the unidentified sugar. These differences were reflected in whole cultures induced for macroconidia formation with carbon dioxide. Strains which responded well increased in acid-soluble carbohydrate; glucose was the predominating sugar in hydrolysates of these fractions. Strains which responded poorly did not increase in carbohydrate content; glucose, and traces of galactose and an unidentified sugar, were found in hydrolysates of these fractions.