Studies in heterobasidiomycetes, part 22

Abstract

The production of siderophores in 42 isolates of smut fungi parasitizing members of the Caryophyllaceae has been investigated. The parasites originated from 12 species of host plants which are classified in 6 genera of this family. Rhodotorulic acid was isolated from the low-iron culture supernatants of 23 isolates of Ustilago major, U. violacea, and U. violacea var. stellariae. Only U. violaceo-irregularis from Silene vulgaris and U. violacea from Saponaria pumilio and Saponaria officinalis (6 of 7 isolates) failed to produce hydroxamic acids. The results of siderophore formation by the anther smuts of Caryophyllacea are discussed in connection with the current knowledge of the occurrence of hydroxamic acids in Heterobasidiomycetes.