SUMMARY: Hyphal walls of two phytopathogenic moulds, Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. parasitica, were isolated essentially free from cytoplasmic contamination. They have a complex chemical structure consisting of polysaccharide, protein and lipid. D-Glucose was the main monosaccharide detected in acid hydrolysates. Chromatographic evidence suggested the presence of small amounts of mannose (0.6%), glucosamine (0.3%) and traces of galactosamine and ribose. Glucans constituted nearly 90% of the wall but only about a maximum 25% of the wall could be regarded as cellulose I on the basis of solubility, resistance to hydrolysis and X-ray diffraction. Most of the wall glucan exhibited chemical and physical properties unlike typical cellulose.
The spectrum of amino acids commonly found in fungal walls was detected; hydrolysates also contained hydroxyproline and two minor unidentified ninhydrin-positive components. Protein comprised 3-5% of the wall. A small amount of lipid (1-3%), mostly of the bound type, was found, and also traces of phosphorus, and compounds with absorption maxima at 263 mμ. Hyphal walls of Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. parasitica differed only slightly in quantitative composition.
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