Differentiation of Candida guilliermondii varieties by lectin-like substances from marine algae

Lectin-like substances of 54 marine algae, corresponding to 30 red algae and 24 brown algae, were studied to estimate the agglutination activity against Candida guilliermondii. Extracts of Dictyopteris membranacea, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Halidrys siliquosa, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus and F. spiralis algae showed selective agglutinating activities for C. guilliermondii "sensu stricto" and some of its varieties. According to their response to agglutination (positive or negative), certain algal extracts enabled the differentiation of varieties of C. guilliermondii independently of the titre values. Three extracts of brown algae were sufficient to identify 4 varieties of C. guilliermondii. The results suggest that lectin-like substances from marine algae may be valuable reagents as assistant tools for the identification of yeast strains.