Evidence for rapid breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by Botrytis cinerea

Spores of Botryris cinerea can germinate in the presence of up to 180 mM hy drogen peroxide and its mycelium can develop in the presence of even higher concentrations. The mycelium can breakdown hydrogen peroxide present in it s culture medium rapidly in a time-dependent manner. This breakdown depends on the composition of the culture medium, is not inhibited by inhibitors o f catalase activity, but is considerably reduced by inhibitors of peroxidas e, such as benzhydroxamic acid, and by caffeic acid. Ln addition, growth in the presence of inducers of laccase formation appears to promote subsequen t breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiol ogical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.