Abstract
Synchytrium endobioticum is a quarantined pathogen of potatoes, which persists as a resting spore in soil for decades. We tested resting spores for the presence of melanin, which in other fungi is associated with protection from light and microbial degradation. The pigmented materials were extracted and oxidized by the potassium permanganate method. Data on native and treated extracts and a melanin standard were obtained from high pressure liquid chromatography, ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectra, and indicate that melanin or melaninlike compounds are present in the resting spore.
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