ANAEROBIC GROWTH OF FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM

Gunner, H. B. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.), and M. Alexander. Anaerobic growth of Fusarium oxysporum. J. Bacteriol. 87:1309-1316. 1964.-Fusarium oxysporum, an alleged obligate aerobe, was found to be capable of growth in the absence of molecular oxygen, provided the medium contained yeast extract, MnO(2), nitrate, selenite, or ferric ions. The active substance in yeast extract was not identified. The fungus possessed hydrogenase, and was capable of utilizing H(2). Under anaerobic conditions, the fungus effected the reduction of nitrate, ceric, ferric, selenite, and tellurite ions, as well as the reduction of several inorganic sulfur compounds and indicators having positive oxidation-reduction potentials. The products of anaerobic nitrate-dependent growth were ethanol, CO(2), acetic acid, and ammonia. Possible explanations for the apparent inability of obligate aerobes to grow in the absence of O(2) are discussed.