THE PRESENCE OF MELANIN IN SYNCHYTRIUM-ENDOBIOTICUM

Synchytrium endobioticum is a quarantined pathogen of potatoes, which persists as a resting spore in soil for decades. We tested resting spo res for the presence of melanin, which in other fungi is associated wi th protection from light and microbial degradation. The pigmented mate rials were extracted and oxidized by the potassium permanganate method . Data on native and treated extracts and a melanin standard were obta ined from high pressure liquid chromatography, ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectra, and indicate that melanin or melaninlike compounds are present in the resting spore.