[Polysaccharides of xylotrophic basidiomycetes].

Physicochemical properties, composition, and structure of the polysaccharides synthesized by the fungi Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, and Crinipellis schevchenkovi in a submerged culture were studied. It has been demonstrated that the exo- and endopolysaccharides of submerged mycelia of the fungi studied are similar to the beta-(1-->3)-D-glucans of the fruiting bodies.

[Composition and biological activity of submerged mycelium of the xylotrophic basidiomycete Lentinus edodes].

The composition of submerged mycelium of Lentinus edodes, grown in laboratory fermenters, has been studied. The mycelium contained 23-24% proteins, 8-9% lipids, up to 1800 mg% phenolic substances, and a significant amount of inorganic substances, including calcium and iron. The fungus produced up to 5.

[The nature of melanin pigments from some micro- and macromycetes].

New inhibitors of melanin formation by micromycetes Aspergillus carbonarius, Alternaria alternata, and Paecilomyces variotii and basidiomycetes Inonotus obliquus and Phellinus robustus were found. Precursors of melanin pigments were isolated and identified. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid was identified among the products of alkaline degradation of melanin formed by micromycetes, whereas in the case of macromycetes this was protocatechuic acid.

[Antioxidant activity in fungi degrading lignocellulose substrates].

Considerable differences in lignin degradation by fungi of two ecological groups have been revealed. Xylotrophs cause a twofold decrease in the molecular weight of lignin. The degrading activity of saprotrophs is insignificant.

[Physicochemical properties of melanins produced by Inonotus obliquus("chagi") in the nature and the cultivated fungus].

Physicochemical properties of pigments isolated from the naturally occurring sterile form of Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pil. known as Chagi and comprising the major constituent of the medicine befungin were compared with those of melanins synthesized by this fungus in the culture in order to develop a new medicine.

[Antioxidant features of fungal melanin pigments].

Fungal melanin pigments were shown to display a high antioxidant activity. An increase in the number of methyl substituents in benzidine molecules of melanins obtained from micromycetes and macromycetes was accompanied by a decrease in the efficiency of inhibition of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation. Melanins were found to have considerable gene-protecting properties.

[Melanin complex of the fungus Inonotus obliquus].

The fungus Inonotus obliquus (Pers.) Pil. synthesised high-molecular-weight phenolic pigments that were assigned to melanins according to their physicochemical properties.

[Melanin pigments of the fungi Paecilomyces variotii and Aspergillus carbonarius].

Pigments synthesized by micromycetes Paecilomyces variotii and Aspergillus carbonarius are true melanins. Copper ions and bicyclic phenolic compounds stimulated melaninogenesis, whereas benzotriazole inhibited this process. Precursors of melanin pigments were obtained and identified.

[Physiologically active substances from the fungus Coriolus hirsutus (Fr.) Quel].

The fungus Coriolus hirsutus is able to synthesize physiologically active compounds with a high antioxidant activity. The level of the antioxidant activity is mainly determined by phenolic constituents and makes up 90-95% of ionol activity. The experiments carried out in test animals have shown hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of the fungus alcohol extract.

[Chitin of mycelial fungi of the genus Penicillium].

The effect of the nutrient medium and cultivation conditions on the chitin content in cell walls of mycelial fungi of the Penicillium genus was studied. The chitin accumulation was influenced by the composition and quantity of carbon and nitrogen sources, acidity of the medium, aeration rate and age of the culture. The highest content of chitin in the strains studied was no more than 4--5%.