Abstract

Two fractions with unusual antifungal activity that suppress asexual sporulation of several fungi were obtained from culture filtrate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were partially purified through the repeated silicagel flash column chromatographies. The sporulation-suppressive actions of these fractions in Aspergillus nidulans, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Coprinus cinereus, were analyzed by light and electron microscopes. The germination ability of the spores produced in the presence of these fractions were also checked to determine the persistent effects of these antifungal substances on the next generation. Light microscopic observation of developing sporangia of R. stolonifer grown in the presence of both fractions revealed that the significant number of sporangia failed to reach maturity, and frequently, uncontrolled growths of hyphae and rhizoids from the sporangiophores were found. In A. nidulans addition of these fractions appeared to cause different classes of morphological abnormality in conidia development, which included aborted formation of conidiogenous cells from the apex of conidiophores and enhanced hyphal growths either at the tip or middle of the conidiophores. Germination abilities of spores obtained from the cultures grown in the presence of antifungal fractions were 40∼60% in Aspergillus, 50∼80% in Coprinus (thallic spores), and 30∼40% in Rhizopus compared to those of normal spores.

• Keywords: Antifungal substances; asexual sporulation; Aspergillus nidulans; Coprinus cinereus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Rhizopus stolonifer; sporulation-suppression