Utilization of cystine by dermatophytes on glucose-peptone media.

All the 16 strains of dermatophytes tested here metabolized cystine (3 mmol/L) in two glucose-peptone media with a different C: N ratio. Cystine was utilized as a sulfur source and, in addition, as a carbon and nitrogen source, in parallel with growth. Excess sulfur was excreted to the medium after its oxidation as inorganic sulfate and sulfite. In a physiologically alkaline medium the growth was fast and was accompanied by a pH increase and cystine was utilized intensively. Eleven species used up all cystine available. Sulfate was the main oxidation product, sulfite was produced at a low concentration, at the beginning of growth in particular. Only traces of thiol compounds (cysteine) were present in the medium. In a physiologically acid medium growth was soon limited by a decreased pH (below 5.0) but cystine continued to be utilized at an identical rate. All cystine was used up by 5 species. The tendency to produce sulfite in addition to sulfate further increased and sulfite was often the predominant product. Concentrations of thiol compounds were also substantially higher. Thus, dermatophytes can utilize cystine even under conditions that do not support good growth and increase the sulfite production.