BIOSYNTHESIS OF PHENOLIC ACIDS BY CERTAIN WOOD-DESTROYING BASIDIOMYCETES

Abstract

These fungi were shown to possess ammonia-lyases for L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, with the former enzyme usually predominating. Growing cultures of a strain of Lentinus lepideus produced isoferulic acid (3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid), which was released into the medium as an ester, probably the methyl ester. Tracer studies suggest it is formed from glucose via phenylalanine and cinnamic acid derivatives. L-Tyrosine and sodium acetate were poor precursors. Replacement cultures did not form isoferulic acid but converted L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid to p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid.