Studies on the Microbiological Transformation of Lucanthone by certian fungi

STUDIES ON THE MICRO BIOLOGICAL TRAMSFOBMATION OF LUGANTHOITE BY CERTAIN - FUNGIIn this study, a total of 91 moulds , were isolated from air and soil and screened for their ability to. transform lucanthone . The actively growing mycelia ill nutrient medium, (whole troth cultures), as well as mycelia and nongenninatin spores washed free of nutrients of 13 fungi converted lucanthone into 3 to 5 products. For each of these moulds, reactions which could be carried out by actively growing or washed mycelia were invariably performed by non- germinating spores. All active isolates are of the genusUnder the screening conditions, the actively growingmycelium of Aspargillus (isolate Ni 2) transformedlucanthone into 3 products. These products retained the yellow colour of the substrate. The yield of these products ranged between 18.2 and 35.5%. The main metabolite was identified as .hycanthone. Washed mycelia and non germinating spores of the same strain transformed lucanthone to the same products. However, different batches showed wide variations in activity.