The Cell Wall Composition and Taxonomy of Some Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes

Abstract

Alkali-soluable and alkali-insoluble cell-wall fractions were prepared from 20 species of Basidiomycetes and two species of Ascomycetes. The alkali-soluble fraction of the Basidiomycetes was composed of glucose, mannose, xylose, and a small amount of fucose. One species (Comophora cerebella) contained galactose and lacked xylose and fucose. Both species of Ascomycetes contained glucose and mannose. Daldinia concentrica differed from Xylaria hypoxylon in containing galactose. The quantitative analysis of the alkali-soluble fraction of the Polyporaceae showed that the proportions of the constituent sugars varied in accordance with their taxonomic position according to Cunningham. The results for Fomes endapalus support suggestions on taxonomic grounds, that the generic position of this fungus is questionable. Species with xanthochroic hyphae in their fruit bodies possessed a similar chemical composition which differed markedly from that of species with hyaline hyphae. This finding seems to support Corner’s classification of some of the Basidiomycetes as members of the Xanthochroales. The alkali-resistant fraction of all species was composed of chitin with a polymer of glucose (glucan) and a small amount of inorganic material. The presence of a glucan—chain complex has not been reported previously in members of the Ascomycetes. Quantitative analysis of the fractions showed a wide variation not related in any way to taxonomic position.