Studies in the biochemistry of micro-organisms

Abstract

DURING an investigation of the possible connection between the incidence of pellagra and mould deterioration of maize Black and Alsberg [1910] and Alsberg and The constitution ofthis substance, which was separated from cultures of Penicillium puberulum Bainier, isolated from mouldy maize and grown on Raulin's medium, and which was somewhat toxic to mice, was not investigated. Through the courtesy of Dr Charles Thom, we obtained Alsberg and Black's culture of P. puberulum about seven years ago and were able to repeat their isolation of penicillic acid, though in diminished yield. It was found later [Birkinshaw and Fortunately we have recently dis- covered during an investigation of the metabolic products of Penicillium cyclo- pium Westling It is worthy of note that P. puberulum and P. cyclopium are not closely related, morphologically.