Effect of Lathyrogenic Aminonitriles, Related Amines, and Copper-Complexing Agents on Conidial Germination of Molds.

Summary Lathyrogenic aminonitriles were found to be inhibitory to conidial germination of N. crassa (3 strains) and A. niger (1 strain). AAN was intensely inhibitory and induced yeastlike forms in the germinants at neutral and at alkaline pH values. BAPN, a somewhat weaker lathyrogen, showed strong inhibition and produced similar yeastlike tendencies with conidia only at alkaline pH values. Cu+ + tended to inhibit conidial germination at lower pH's but appeared relatively nontoxic in alkaline media. Cu+ + seemed to potentiate the inhibition due to BAPN at pH 7.7. It appeared to be either synergistic or protective towards certain ion-complexing agents, depending on the agent and the species of mold. Those agents which form chelate rings appeared to be more toxic than BAPN. All amino compounds tested, including glucosamine, inhibited conidial germination of A. niger at pH 7.7, and except for ethylenediamine, they induced a tendency towards a yeastlike morphology in the germinants. Glucosamine showed no protection against BAPN or AAN. Amino compounds appeared to differ from BAPN in their effects only in degree, while propionitrile did not show these effects. Therefore, the amino group probably was involved in the effects produced by aminonitriles in both molds. It is concluded that the spore germination technique is not specific enough to differentiate lathyrogens from other inhibitors containing an amino group, and that it probably does not lend itself to the study of ion-BAPN interactions. However, further study of the role of amino compounds in morphogenesis of fungi would appear to be of value.