Abstract
Since 1927 this laboratory has been engaged in the development of high-yielding ergosterol sources. The fungi being characterized by a relatively large ergosterol content, numerous representative species were investigated and the factors influencing the elaboration of ergosterol determined.
We used 25 true yeasts, 4 pseudo yeasts, 18 molds, 3 mushrooms, and 2 bacteria. We found that the inherent ergosterol producing capacities of the different species vary enormously, and that by manipulating the cultural conditions these capacities may be attained or repressed.
The bacteria, bovine and human types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, showed no ergosterol by spectrographic assay (cf. Prickett, Massengale, and Cox 1 ). Also Anderson and Chargaff 2 found no cholesterol or any substance giving sterol color reactions in the unsaponifiable matter from a human type of M. tuberculosis. Apparently this is the first one of the fungi in which no ergosterol has been found; the absence of ergosterol is all the more surprising when the high lipoid content of this organism is considered. Of the other fungi the yeasts showed the widest variation. Saccharomyces logos contained but a trace, while S. carlsbergensis developed 2.4% of ergosterol. Spectrographic analyses and actual extractions of the more promising molds—representatives of the Mucors, Penicillia, and Aspergilli—and also the pseudo yeasts and mushrooms, gave values between the extremes of the yeasts. It is interesting to note that Heiduschka and Lindner 3 found in a Penicillium 0.8% of ergosterol colorimetrically, which is the same value that we obtained spectrographically with a Penicillium cultivated in one of our media.
In general, we found that for a given fungus a neutral or slightly alkaline medium was conducive to vigorous growth and relatively large ergosterol production. An abundant air supply was not only favorable but essential.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.