%0 Journal Article %A Dickerson, A. G. %A Mantle, P. G. %A Szczyrbak, Christine A. %T Autolysis of Extracellular Glucans Produced in vitro by a Strain of Claviceps fusiformis %D 1970 %J Microbiology, %V 60 %N 3 %P 403-415 %@ 1465-2080 %R https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-60-3-403 %I Microbiology Society, %X SUMMARY: Claviceps fusiformis usually produces a stable viscous glucan during submerged culture fermentations. A new strain 139/2/1 G of the fungus, which subsequently autolysed this glucan to glucose, was studied and the autolysis ascribed to a constitutive β1 3 glucanase and a β-glucosidase which were detected as soon as the fungal hyphae differentiated to a sclerotial form. The glucanase production followed a sigmoid pattern, reaching a maximum within 12 days, and the liberated glucose contributed to renewed growth towards the end of the fermentation. A sucrase and a maltase were also detected. Maximum glucan autolysis was achieved by using a large spore inoculum. This maintained minimal viscocity throughout the fermentation and, by maintaining adequate aeration, has since facilitated ergot alkaloid production by the organism. %U https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-60-3-403