EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON THE GROWTH AND LIPID-COMPOSITION OF CUNNINGHAMELLA-JAPONICA UNDER NORMAL AND STRESS CONDITIONS

Artificial (ionol, 4,4'-dicumyldiphenyl-azoxide, 6-methyl-2-ethyl-3-hy droxypyridinehydroc ride) and natural (a-tocopherol, ubiquinone Q(9)) antioxidants (AOs), including AOs of fungal origin, produce similar bi ological effects: (1) stimulation of Cunninghamella japonica growth, ( 2) the changes in the lipid composition with an increase in the degree of lipid nonsaturation, and (3) an increase in the phosphatidylserine content of polar lipids. Under spontaneous temperature stress, AOs al so stimulate the growth of C. japonica mycelium and increase the degre e of lipid nonsaturation. However, under high-temperature and low-temp erature stress, the degree of lipid nonsaturation increases upon AO ad dition as a result of increasing the proportion of C-18 : 1 or C-18 : 2 + C-18 : 3, respectively. The involvement of AOs in promoting the '' rejuvenation'' of fungal cells is considered.