ACTION AGAINST FUNGI 



147 



substance when grown in glucose-peptone media. This substance is simi- 

 lar to penicillin in that it is favored by the addition of corn steep, and 

 in its antibiotic spectrum, its sensitivity to reaction and temperature, 

 and its destruction by penicillinase preparations (714). 



A number of unidentified molds have been reported to produce pig- 

 ments which have antibiotic activity against various bacteria (807). 

 This is true, for example, of P. c'mnah annus. The red pigment ex- 

 tracted from the mycelium of this fungus inhibited S. aureus and S. 

 pyogenes in a dilution of i : 5,000. The extract was slightly hemolytic, 

 although not very toxic (637). 



A study of the distribution of antibiotic properties among the fungi 

 revealed the fact that the Aspergilli and Penicillia are most active and 

 the Phycomycetes least (Table 28). 



TABLE 28. DISTRIBUTION OF ANTAGONISTIC PROPERTIES AMONG 

 THE FUNGI 



From Wilkins and Harris (1017, 1018, 1019). 



ANTAGONISTIC ACTION OF FUNGI 

 AGAINST FUNGI 



Numerous fungi were found to exert antagonistic effects either 

 against fungi belonging to the same species or against other fungi 

 (Table 29). This phenomenon is particularly important in connection 

 with the study of plant diseases. The effects are selective. The hyphae 

 of Peziza will kill various Mucorales, whereas different species of As- 

 fergillus and Penicillium are able to kill Peziza. A single spore of P. 

 luteum was found capable of germinating in cultures of Citromyces 



