Studies on the Cell Wall ofPiricularia oryzae†

The chemical constituents of the cell wall of Piricularia oryzae, the pathogenic fungus of rice blast disease, were studied with the aids of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, infra-red absorption and enzymatic degradation. The sugar constituents were identified by chromatography as glucose (62%), mannose (4%), galactose (0.5%), and hexosamine (13%). The acidic amino acid rich protein was comprised 4.6% in the cell wall. The cell wall consists of at least three different polysaccharide complexes: a) α-Heteropolysaccharide protein complex containing mannose, glucose and galactose, b) β-1,3-Glucan containing β-1, 6-linked branch, c) Chitin like substance.