Effect of Glycerine on the Growth of Certain Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract

In studying a group of fungi the inhibitory effects of varying concentrations of glycerine were tabulated from the point of view of possible differential features. Glycerine was incorporated in Sabouraud's proof medium and the pH adjusted to 5.5. Concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% were used. Growth of the following pathogenic fungi and the 2 saprophytes, Lichtheimia sp. and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, was observed over a period of 30 days: Achorion schoenleinii, Acladium castellani, Candida Candida, Endodermophyton tropicale, Endomyces capsulatus, Endomyces dermatitidus, Epidermophyton inguinale, Gleno spore gammeli, Geotrichum bachmann, Indiella americana, Monilia albicans, Microsporon apiospernum, Microsporon audouini, Oöspora humi, Trichophyton crateriforme, Trichophyton granulosum, Trichophyton japonicum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Willia anomala. Table I gives the days within which growth was observed. The d indicates a marked decrease in the amount of growth, and s a scant growth. Achorion schoenleinii in addition to developing a smaller colony with increase in concentration of glycerine, became more translucent in concentrations of 15% and above. Acladium castellani gradually lost its color with increase in concentration of glycerine, becoming less granular and more waxy in appearance. Endodermophyton tropicale with increase in concentration of glycerine lost its granular white appearance and became more translucent. Endomyces determatitidis. The mycelia became increasingly more sub-surface, starting to a marked degree with the 1% concentration of glycerine.