Distortion of Fungal Hyphæ in the Presence of Certain Inhibitors

Abstract

Brian, Curtis and Hemming¹ have recently reported the production by Penicillium Janczewskii of a factor having little antibiotic action but causing characteristic distortion of fungal hyphæ growing in its presence. This substance, isolated in a crystalline state and given the formula C₂₀H₂₀O₉², has been termed âcurling factor. The description and illustrations of the stunting and curling caused by this factor are strongly reminiscent of the appearance of hyphal tips growing in the presence of a number of relatively simple inhibitory substances (notably methyl p-hydroxybenzoate³) encountered by me during the course of fungistatic investigations using Aspergillus niger, Penicillium roqueforti and Byssochlamys fulva. Brian, Curtis and Hemming, while referring to earlier records of similar morphological effects caused by the metabolic products of organisms, consider their effect to be distinct from any previously described for pure chemicals. I consider that the behaviour of the esters referred to above is likely to come into the same class of phenomenon as claimed for 'curling factor'.