POLYURONIDES IN CELL WALLS OF MUCOR ROUXII

Uronic acid polymers may comprise a major portion of the cell wall of Mucor rouxii depending on the developmental stage of the fungus. The uronic acid content ranges from as much as 25% in sporangiophore walls, through about 12% in hyphal or yeast cell walls, to less than 2%, if any, in the spore walls. D-Glucuronic acid was the only hexuronic acid identified. Two types of polyuronide fractions were recognized and partly characterized: a readily hydrolyzable heteropolysaccharide of D-glucuronic acid, L-fucose, D-mannose and D-galactose (mucoran) and a polymer, resistant to acid hydrolysis, composed largely of D-glucuronic acid (mucoric acid). © 1968.