Polyols of the fungus, Zoophagus insidians

Abstract

Abstract Polyol extractions were made from Zoophagus insidians , and two members each of the Zygomycotina and Ascomycotina for comparison. Analysis of polyols was performed using packed column gas chromatography essentially as described by Rast, with the polyols being derivitized by silylation. The polyol chromatogram of Zoophagus was distinctive, but could be regarded as intermediate between those of the two Zygomycotina, which were very different. The most abundant of the eight polyols of Zoophagus was a polyol, provisionally identified as 6-deoxygalactitol. Micromucor ramannianus produced low levels of seven polyols, one of which was not detected in Zoophagus , while Syncephalastrum racemosum yielded seven polyols, two of which were not detected in Micromucor and one of which was not detected in Zoophagus . The major polyol of S. racemosum was close to arabitol in Emercella . Polyol spectra for the two Ascomycotina were relatively similar and distinct from the Zygomycotina, particularly with regard to the prominence of galactitol. The polyol data are consistent with the placement of Zoophagus in the Zygomycotina.