Skip to main content
Log in

In vitro utilization of L-cystine by keratinophilic fungi inhabiting a gelatin factory

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Twenty-six different species of keratinophilic fungi were examined to determine their ability to utilize free cystine. Of the fungi tested, the majority metabolized free L-cystine in a glucose-peptone culture medium. Cystine was used as source of sulfur, and carbon and nitrogen as well. Excess sulfur was excreted into the culture fluid, as thiosulfate and sulfate, following oxidation. The rate of cystine oxidation varied with the different fungal strains, but was maximal for Graphium penicilloideus (88.5%). Low quantities of thiols were found in the medium. Cystine oxidation and inorganic thiosulfate excretion were found to correlate significantly (r = 0.94).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kunert, J. Keratin decomposition by dermatophytes, I: Sulfite production as a possible way of substrate denaturation. Z Allg Microbiol 1973; 13: 489–498.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rajak RC, Malviya H, Deshpande H, Hasija SK. Production and comparative characterization of keratinases from Absidia cylindrospora and Rhizomucor pusillus. Indian J Microbiol 1991; 31(3): 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ruffin P, Andrieu S, Biserte G, Biguet J. Sulphitolysis in keratinolysis. Biochemical proof. Sabouraudia 1976; 14: 181–184.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kunert J. Utilization of L-cystine as a source of carbon and nitrogen by various fungi. Acta Univ Palackianae Olomucensis-Tom 1989; 123: 361–364.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Malviya H, Rajak RC, Tiwari S, Hasija SK. Keratinolysis by four fungi isolated from the soil and effluent of Gelatin factory at Jabalpur (MP). Cryptogam Bot 1991 (in press).

  6. Danew P, Friedrich E, Farr W, Aurich H, Haschen RJ. Abbau und Assimilation von Glukose und Aminosauren durch Microsporum gypseum. Mykosen 1982; 25: 143–150.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Stahl WH, McQue B, Mandels GR, Siu RGH. Studies on the microbiological degradation of wool, I: Sulfur metabolism. Arch Biochem 1949; 20: 422–432.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ziegler H, Bohme H. Biologie und Chemie der Keratinisation sowie des Keratinabbaues durch vorzugsweise pathogene Pilze. Biol Rundschau 1977; 15: 27–40.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rajak RC, Parwekar S, Malviya H, Hasija SK. Keratin degradation by fungi isolated from the grounds of a gelatin factory campus in Jabalpur, India. Mycopathologia 1991; 114(2): 83–87.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hasija SK, Malviya H, Rajak RC. Keratinolytic ability of some fungi isolated from gelatin factory campus, Jabalpur (MP). Proc Nat Acad Sci India 1990; 60(B)III: 305–309.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hasija SK, Rajak RC, Singh, LS, Pandey AK. Mycoflora of the effluent of gelatin factory at Jabalpur. Proc Nat Acad Sci India 1988; 58(B)IV: 573–578.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rajak RC, Gupta S, Hasija SK, Pandey AK. Soil mycoflora of gelatin factory campus at Jabulpar (MP) with special reference to keratinophilic fungi. Proc Nat Acad India 1989; 59(B)II: 187–192.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 1951; 193: 265.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chopra, SL. A turbidimetric method for microdetermination of sulfur compounds in proteins. Indian J Chemistry 1962; 2: 18–19.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sorbo B. A colorimetric method for the determination of thiosulfate. Biochem Biophys Acta 1957; 23: 412–416.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ramakrishna R, Siraj P, Prakasha Sastri CS. Spectrophotometric method for the direct determination of cysteine in the presence of other naturally occurring aminoacids. Curr Sci 1979; 48(18): 815–816.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Campbell RC. Statistics for Biologists 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kunert J. Biochemical mechanism of keratin degradation by the actinomycete Streptomyces fradiae and the fungus Microsporum gypseum: A comparison. J Basic Microbiol 1989; 29(9): 597–604.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Stipanuk MH. Metabolism of sulfur-containing aminoacids. Ann Rev Nutrition 1986; 6: 179–209.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Schaper HG, Ziegler H. Untersuchungen uber den cystinestoffwechsel der dermatophyten. Mykosen 1971; 14: 589.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kunert J, Stransky Z. Thiosulfate production from cystine by the Keratinolytic prokaryote Streptomyces fradiae. Arch Microbiol 1988; 150: 600–601.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malviya, H.K., Hasija, S.K. & Rajak, R.C. In vitro utilization of L-cystine by keratinophilic fungi inhabiting a gelatin factory. Mycopathologia 118, 147–152 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00437147

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00437147

Key words

Navigation