ISOLATION OF CHITIN AND GLUCAN FROM CELL WALL OF YEAST FORM OF PARACOCCIDIOIDES BRASILIENSIS

Isolation of the cell wall of the yeast form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was carried out by crushing the fungus with a French press followed by sonic treatment and centrifugation. The main components of the cell wall were glucosamine (34%) and glucose (35%). After treating the cell wall with hot NaOH, the glucosamine polymer was isolated as an insoluble residue and was identified as chitin based on its X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrum patterns. Glucan was isolated by treating the cell wall with chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14). It was soluble in dilute alkali, showed high dextrorotation, [α]D = +253 ° in 1 n NaOH, was insoluble in hot water, weakly positive in periodic acid-Schiff reaction and was not hydrolyzed by amyloglucosidase (EC 3.2.1.3), β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), cellulase (EC 3.2.1.4), and snail digestive juice (a mixture of several glycosidases). The infrared spectrum of glucan showed α-linkage. © 1969.