Formation of antigenic extracellular polysaccharides by selected strains ofMucor spp.,Rhizopus spp.,Rhizomucor spp.,Absidia corymbifera andSyncephalastrum racemosum

Abstract

In this study, polyclonal IgG antibodies raised against extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) of Mucor racemosus were characterised as almost specific for moulds belonging to the order of Mucorales. Cross-reactivity in the ELISA could be observed only towards the yeast Pichia membranaefaciens. EPS were isolated from various cultures of M. hiemalis growing on six different carbon sources and two nitrogen sources, with ratios varying from 0.13 to 0.44 relative to the amount of biomass. Other strains including Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhizomucor spp., Absidia corymbifera and Syncephalastrum racemosum also excreted EPS, with ratios varying from 0.05 to 0.23. In all cases, the excreted EPS had similar antigenic properties as determined by ELISA. No enzymatic degradation of the antigenic parts of the polysaccharides could be observed upon prolonged incubation. Considering that all tested strains formed similar amounts of antigenic EPS there might be scope for the specific detection of biomass of Mucoralean moulds using ELISA techniques for example in food.

Tempe fermentation, innovation and functionality: update into the third millenium

“…Immunochemically active fractions contain mannose, fucose and protein. Using ELISA procedures it was established that antibodies raised against Mucor racemosus were specific for Mucorales (De Ruiter et al. 1992).…”

Mucor hiemalis: a new source for uricase production

“…It is well known for producing numerous enzymes including proteinase (Wang 1967), endo-1,6-b-D-glucanase (Miyazaki & Oikawa 1976), phospholipase C (Zaikina & Robakidze 1976 ), endo-1,3-b-D-glucanase (Miyazaki et al 1977), lipase (Akhtar et al 1983) and endo-b-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Yamanoi et al 2004). There are also some reports on isolation of carotenoids (Hocking 1967), all-trans-phytoene (Herber et al 1972), antigenic extracellular polysaccharides (De Ruiter et al 1992) and sterols (Mysiakina & Funtikova 2003), from this fungus. No report exists on the production of uricase by Mucor hiemalis.…”

Zygomycetes in Human Disease

“…This may act as an additional virulence factor for these organisms, permitting them to grow well in the acidic and glucose-rich environment seen in ketoacidotic states. Some species also produce antigenic extracellular polysaccharides (116). Whether these serve as virulence factors in human disease is unknown.…”