Comparative analysis of the in vitro growth of the hyphal body and mycelial stage of the entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi

Nomuraea rileyi (UF178-6) conidia isolated from larval cadavers of Anticarsia gemmatalis and from an attenuated culture (UF178-6a) were used to establish separate hyphal body and mycelial cultures in liquid media, respectively. Studies on the growth of each strain were performed under submerged liquid fermentation conditions. Analysis of the respective utilization of carbohydrates and amino acids from the media, production of extracellular polysaccharide, and alterations in pH of the media demonstrated differences between the mycelial and hyphal body cultures. Using an enzyme mixture of β-glucuronidase and chitinase, protoplasts were produced from hyphal bodies and mycelia throughout each fermentation. Maximum yields of protoplasts were isolated from each strain midway through their vegetative growth phases.