
cos 
510 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
ability to assimilate alcohol, although varying with different races, is almost 
universal among these organisms. The loss thus sustained in the process of 
fermentation they suggest should be taken into consideration in devising 
methods of operation. 
Similarly, in a short note WiLL and Hevuss® show that, as is well known 
for other fungi, various budding forms, including species of Mycoderma, Torula, 
Willia, and Pichia, consume ethyl acetate, apparently utilizing both the acid 
and the alcohol radicle in their metabolism 
The study of the production of toxic eubokunces by fungi growing on food 
products destined for human consumption has recently attracted much atten- 
tion, especially in Italy in connection Lies the ve of bb From 
this point of view ALSBERG and B 19 s elaborated 
by two species of molds; the one, : Ponccilivum puberulum Bainier, isolated from 
spoiled maize in Nebraska, and the other, P. stoloniferum from similar material 
from Italy. From the culture medium (RAvLIN’s solution) in which P. 
puberulum was grown, the authors isolated a substance to which the name 

penicillic acid, with the formula CsH,,O,, was given. The substance, which 
behaves like a monobasic acid, is fatal to animals when injected subcutaneously 
in doses of 0. 2-0.3 grams per kilogram of body weight. It is formed more 
abundantly when the air supply of the fungus is limited than with full aeration. 
An acid medium also favors its production. 
Penicillium stoloniferum elaborates a non-toxic substance to which the 
name mycophenolic acid is given. Its empirical formula is C1;H2O6. It 
reaction, which in Italy is regarded as a reliable test for the detection of deteri- 
oration in maize, but which the authors were one to obtain in its charac- 
teristic form from samples of spoiled American m 
In conclusion, the authors point out the desirability of utilizing biochemical 
behavior as an aid in the separation of species of molds which are not easily 
distinguished by. morphological characteristics. 
Owing to the ability of some molds to complete their development with 
traces of certain universal elements so minute that they cannot be removed by 
chemical means, the study of the influence of such elements on spore-production 
presents difficulties which account for the variant results obtained by different 
and sometimes by the same investigators. Formerly Sauron” ascribed to iron 
a special réle in the spore-production of Aspergillus niger, but later he and 
* Writ, H., und Heuss, R., Essigsiureithylester als pene fiir Hefe 
und andere Sprosspilze. Zeitschr. Gesamte Brauwesen. 35:1 st ae 
9 ALSBERG, C. L., and Biacx, O. F., Contributi the an 
tion. U.S. Dept. Agric., Bur. Plant ind. a 270. pp. 48. pi. 1. I. ee 
7 Rev. Bor. Gaz. 55:86. 1913. 
Apeteriora- 


