EFFECTS OF SELECTED SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS ON GROWTH OF MUCOR-ROUXII

The in vitro activity of four synthetic compounds was tested on fungal cells from Mucor rouxii. The compounds included phenylenediamine, two phenolamines, and quinone. At the concentrations tested (10(-2)-10(-4 ) M) the compounds exhibited antifungal activity, with the exception o f quinone. On the basis of their effects on spore germination, and dev elopment of hyphae, phenylenediamine was the more active. The mechanis m of action of the compounds is still unknown, but hyphae show morphol ogical alterations and disturb the distribution of calcofluor in the c ell wall. This suggests variations in the genesis of the cell wall.