Open AccessThe effect of culture conditions on the mycelial growth and luminescence of naturally bioluminescent fungi
Author(s) -
Weitz Hedda J.,
Ballard Angela L.,
Campbell Colin D.,
Killham Ken
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10798.x
Subject(s) - bioluminescence , mycelium , luminescence , biology , darkness , photoprotein , botany , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , materials science , optoelectronics
The effects of temperature, light and pH on mycelial growth and luminescence of four naturally bioluminescent fungi were investigated. Cultures of Armillaria mellea , Mycena citricolor , Omphalotus olearius and Panellus stipticus were grown at 5°C, 15°C, 22°C and 30°C, under 24 h light, 12 h light/12 h dark and 24 h dark, and at a pH ranging from 3.5 to 7 in three separate experiments. Temperature and pH had a significant effect on mycelial growth and bioluminescence, however light did not. Bioluminescence and mycelial growth were optimum at 22°C and pH 3–3.5, the exception being M. citricolor for which bioluminescence and growth were optimum at pH 5–6 and pH 4, respectively. With the exception of M. citricolor , bioluminescence and mycelial growth were greater under 24 h darkness. An understanding of the effect of culture conditions on mycelial growth and luminescence is necessary for the future application of bioluminescent fungi as biosensors.