Effect of tryptophan on the production of mucidin in cultures of basidiomycete Oudemansiella mucida.

Addition of L-tryptophan to cultures of the basidiomycete Oudemansiella mucida brought about a pronounced increase of production of the antibiotic mucidin. The highest increase was reached in the presence of 0.15-0.20% tryptophan and after its addition to a l-d culture. The methyl ester of tryptophan exhibited the same effect. Mycelium growing during the initial phases in the presence of tryptophan synthesized mucidin powerfully during later phases of the fermentation.