Membrane permeability and the loss of germination factor from Neurospora crassa at low water activities.

Neurospora crassa conidia incubating in buffer at low water activities (a(w)) release a germination-essential component as well as 260-nm absorbing and ninhydrin-positive materials, regardless of whether an electrolyte or non-electrolyte is used to reduce a(w). Chloroform and antibiotics known to increase cell-membrane permeability have a similar effect. This suggests that membrane damage occurs in media of low a(w) and that an increase in permeability is responsible for the release of cellular components. The damage caused in media of low a(w) is nonlethal in most cases, and the conidia recover when transferred to nutrient medium.