The inorganic phosphorus content, and distribution, structure and localization of polyphosphate in mycelia of zygomycetous fungi was evaluated. Ultrastructural cytochemistry was successfully used to identifying the localization and distribution of polyphosphate in Absidia cylindrospora, Gongronella butleri and Mucor javanicus. The results revealed differences in the cytochemical staining pattern in all species studied and a uniform labeling on the cellular surface (cell wall and citoplasmic membrane). Reaction products were observed in intracellular structures and cellular membrane. Intracellular staining was observed in trabecullar, vacuolar and vesicular structures, in dense bodies and in the cytoplasm. However, the cytochemical staining intensity varied during the cellular growth. Analytical procedure revealed the phosphorus content during cell growth. The results demonstrated that phosphorus content varied during cultivation time and could be related to the polyphosphate cytochemical staining. Polyhosphate functions such as storage and utilization are discussed.
Carbohydrate-containing molecules were located on the surface of Candida lipolytica by using ruthenium red in a cytochemical study. The yeast was grown in media containing Tween 80. The surfactant, at 1.0% and 0.5%, was added to the culture medium in different intervals of time, correspondent to the beginning of exponential growth phase, mid of logarithimic phase and beginning of stationary growth phase. Control cultures were grown in a medium containing glucose. The growth of the yeast in media containing glucose and Tween 80 induced changes in the pattern of distribution and location of acid polyssacharides in the cell wall of the microorganism. In adition, the pattern also changed according to Tween 80 concentration. The influence of Tween 80 on cellular carbohydrate expression is discussed.
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