Nutritional Study of Pisolithus Tinctorius

ABSTRACT

Pisolithus tinctorius used several different carbon sources, as determined by biomass measurement, and generally metabolized monosaccharides more efficiently than disaccharides. No obvious difference was noted when utilization of amine and nitrate forms of nitrogen were compared. The optimum carbon/nitrogen ratio for conditions tested appears between 10/1 and 20/1. Modified Melin-Norkrans medium buffered with citric acid/sodium citrate was used to optimize sugar and nitrogen concentrations. A liquid inoculum in shake flask culture formed a biomass in six da that would otherwise require six wk by static flask or solid substrate methods. By optimizing growth rate in a medium suitable for deep tank fermentation, and with proper formulation, it is feasible to consider producing this ectomycorrhizal fungus for commercial use in forestry.

Key Words:

• Pisolithus nutrition
• Pisolithus tinctorius