Glucans in the mycelium ofAspergillus giganteus mut.alba: Alkali-soluble glucans

At the end of the development of the mycelium of Aspergillus giganteus mut. alba there takes place the autolysis of mycelium; in cultures grown in light it begins on the 9th day of the culture growth, in those grown in darkness on the 12th day. Autolysis comprises about 26-30% of the maximum dry matter of mycelium (FIEMA 1988.). Since, as has been established, glycogen occurs only in the early development stages (ZURZYCKA et al. 1987) it is to be assumed that other glucopolymers may function as storage substances in this organism. On the other hand, it is also known (FIEMA 1983) that glucans constitute a large proportion of glucopolymers present in the cell walls of A. giganteus mut. alba. The aim of the present study was to isolate the glucan fractions from the mycelium and to give some characteristics of the fraction soluble in KOH.