Tong Fu

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1996

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Duane Matthees

Abstract

Caldariomyces fumago Woronichin (formerly Fumago vagans Persoon) is one of the imperfect fungi occurring as a "greenhouse mold." It attracted relatively little attention until Clutterbuck and coworkers found that this species is able to convert a large fraction of inorganic chloride in the culture medium into organic chlorine metabolites, which were considered relatively uncommon in natural products. The metabolite isolated, caldariomycin (C5H8Cl2O2), was identified as 2,2'-dichloro-1,3-cyclopentanediol. Later studies established the existence of chloroperoxidase (CPO), the enzyme involved in the formation of caldariomycin. Chloroperoxidase drew attention as the first example of a halogenating enzyme found and because of its broad substrate specificity. Rather than studying the reactivity and utilization of the purified enzyme, this research focuses on the activity of the whole cell culture. Modified Czapek-Dox medium (containing glucose), as well as some other carbon sources, are compared with respect to cell growth and metabolite production. Several common organic acids were found in the culture broth, and some chlorinated and brominated metabolites were also identified, including some which have not previously been reported from this fungus. In addition to metabolites, the whole cell cultures were investigated for their ability to promote halogenating and dehalogenating reactions. Differences between reactions of chloride and bromide in the culture medium were also discussed.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Fungi -- Cultures and culture media

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright