Characterization of mannitol in Curvularia protuberata hyphae by FTIR and Raman spectromicroscopyThis article is part of a themed issue on Optical Diagnosis. This issue includes work presented at SPEC 2010 Shedding Light on Disease: Optical Diagnosis for the New Millennium, which was held in Manchester, UK, June 26th to July 1st 2010

• Main Authors: Isenor, Merrill, Kaminskyj, Susan G. W, Rodriguez, Russell J, Redman, Regina S, Gough, Kathleen M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.11.2010
• ISSN: 0003-2654; 1364-5528
• DOI: 10.1039/c0an00534g

FTIR and Raman spectromicroscopy were used to characterize the composition of Curvularia protuberata hyphae, and to compare a strain isolated from plants inhabiting geothermal soils with a non-geothermal isolate. Thermal IR source images of hyphae have been acquired with a 64 × 64 element focal plane array detector; single point IR spectra have been obtained with synchrotron source light. In some C. protuberata hyphae, we have discovered the spectral signature of crystalline mannitol, a fungal polyol with complex protective roles. With FTIR-FPA imaging, we have determined that the protein content in cells remains fairly constant throughout the length of a hypha, whereas the mannitol is found at discrete, irregular locations. This is the first direct observation of mannitol in intact fungal hyphae. Since the concentration of mannitol in cells varies with respect to position and is not present in all hyphae, this discovery may be related to habitat adaptation, fungal structure and growth stages. With FTIR and Raman imaging, we have discovered the spectral signature of crystalline mannitol, stored at discrete locations within the hyphae of Curvularia protuberata . Mannitol, a fungal polyol with complex protective roles, may be related to habitat adaptation, fungal structure and growth stages.