Synthesis of β-Galactosidase in Ophiostoma multiannulatum and Some Properties of the Enzyme

Abstract

THE ascomycete Ophiostoma multiannulatum (Hedge. and Davids.) can grow on a synthetic liquid medium containing salts, vitamins (B₁ and B₆) and a suitable carbon source. In connexion with the development of a method for continuous culture of the fungus¹, some studies on the ability of the organism to utilize different carbon sources were made. More or less pronounced adaptive growth was observed with lactose, cellobiose, raffinose, glycerol and ethyl alcohol, whereas galactose was not metabolized. The growth lag was considerably shortened in the presence of a mixture of amino-acids, and this fact suggested a more detailed study of the factors influencing the synthesis of some of the enzymes involved.