Occurrence of α-, β-, and γ-hydroxybutyrates in some soil microfungi

• Published in: Transactions of the British Mycological Society Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 79 - 87
• Main Authors: Nuti, M.P., Brooks, J.B., Lepidi, A.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1975
• Subjects: plant biochemistry; plant physiology
• ISSN: 0007-1536
• DOI: 10.1016/S0007-1536(75)80078-7

Electron capture gas-liquid chromatography (EC GLC) along with other biochemical procedures was used to test for the presence of α-, β-, and γ-hydroxybutyric acids in the fungal mycelia of six soil inhabiting microfungi. Noticeable amounts of hydroxybutyrates were detected, which in some instances accounted for 6·1 % of the mycelium dry weight. The EC GLC was shown to be an extremely sensitive, selective instrument for detection of the above acids. The data show that α-hydroxybutyric acid is present in large quantity in all micromycetes and that β- and γ-hydroxybutyric acids are also present in smaller amounts. The hydroxybutyrates were not polymerized and the amount of α- and β-hydroxybutyric acids seemed to be dependent on the growth phase and, in most instances, accumulated after 14 days of cultivation.