The fermentation of glucose by Fusarium lini

In a study of the biochemistry of Fusarium lini, the organism which causes flax wilt, its action on a nutrient solution containing glucose as the only source of carbon, has been investigated. Tochinai 1 in Japan has shown that Fusarium lini grows well on several of the common carbohydrates as a source of carbon. Of these he found inulin and glucose to give the best growth. In fermentation tests he found gas produced. Glucose produced gas in largest quantities, while galactose produced only traces. He considers this gas to be entirely CO₂. He suggests it is very probable that the wilt of the flax plant is due to the production of gas in the vascular system of the plant which interferes with transpiration.

In the present work a detailed study of the action of Fusarium lini on glucose has been made. The nutrient solution used had the following composition:

The reaction of this medium was adjusted to the desired P_H by the addition of HC1 or NaOH solutions. One hundred C.C. were placed in 300 C.C. Erlenmeyer flasks with 2-hole rubber stoppers fitted with cotton plugged glass tubes and rubber tubing with pinch clamps to prevent the escape of any gasses produced. These flasks were sterilized and inoculated with a definite volume of a spore suspension of Fusarium lini and incubated at 28 to 30 C.°. In the experiment here reported 15 flasks were used, the P_H being adjusted to 5.545, which is within the optimum reaction for this organism. These flasks were divided into sets of three each, and at intervals sets were removed and analyzed. Flask 1 was used for determining alcohol; flask 2 for mycelium, glucose, and lead precipitate; and flask 3 for mycelium and P_H.