Investigation into the production of bacteriostatic substances by fungi VI. Examination of the larger Basidiomycetes

Abstract

The present paper, the sixth of the series, gives the results of testing some 700 species of the larger Basidiomycetes for bacteriostatic properties. Initially, the ‘juice’ extracted from the sporophore was tested and this was followed in certain cases by a test of the metabolism solution produced by the fungus in culture. The results indicate that the larger Basidiomycetes are among the more promising fungus groups which produce antibiotics and that they compare favourably in this respect with the Aspergilli and the Penicillia. Of the 700 species tested approximately 70 are strongly and approximately 100 weakly positive against Staphylococcus aureus and/or Bacterium colt.