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Synthesis of Phenols and Phenolic Polymers by Hendersonula toruloidea in Relation to Humic Acid Formation
Author(s) -
Martin J. P.,
Haider K.,
Wolf D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1972.03615995003600020031x
Subject(s) - phenols , chemistry , humic acid , orcinol , polymer , organic chemistry , salicylic acid , resorcinol , phenol , benzoic acid , biochemistry , fertilizer
Hendersonula toruloidea in glucose or organic residue media produced high yields of a humic acid‐type polymer. As much as one third of the substances, including biomass synthesized by the fungus, consisted of the polymer. The primary phenolic constituents of the polymer are orcinol, 3,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, and probably 2,3,5‐trihydroxytoluene with smaller amounts of 2,6‐dihydroxytoluene, m ‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 6‐methylsalicylic acid, methylphloroglucinol, salicylic acid, 2,4‐dihydroxytoluene, and several other phenols. Phenols derived from p ‐hydroxycinnamic acid were not found. A phenoloxidase was found in mature cells which rapidly oxidized mixtures of the phenols with the formation of polymers. The polymer is highly resistant to microbial degradation in soil and is similar to soil and other fungus humic acids with respect to elemental composition, exchange capacity, and total acidity. The fungus transforms or utilizes numerous phenols as carbon and energy sources.