Isolation and identification of phenolic substances from the fungus Penicillium spinulosum

Penicillium spinulosum grown in a Czapek-Dox medium containing glucose produces two phenolic substances: 4-methyl orcinol (beta-orcinol) and 3-methyl orsellinic acid (beta-orcinolcarboxylic acid). Their isolation and identification are described. They are considered to be precursors of quinoids occuring in aged media and responsible for their red-violet colours. Preliminary results indicate that one of the quinoid compounds may be a diphenoquinone.