Paramylon (beta-1,3-glucan) content in wild type and WZSL mutant of Euglena gracilis. Effects of growth conditions

The effects of growth conditions on paramylon (a beta -1,3-glucan reserve c arbohydrate) content were examined in the photosynthetic wild-type and a sp ontaneous non-photosynthetic WZSL mutant of the unicellular flagellate Eugl ena gracilis. This carbohydrate is known to show interesting applications i n human and veterinary medicine, as immunostimulant and immunopotentiator. For both strains, the synthesis of reserve depends mainly on the growth con ditions, i.e. light or dark. The highest amount of paramylon is accumulated by the mutant (90% dry weight) under dark conditions and with glucose as t he carbon source. These findings are discussed in terms of feasibility of e xploitation of both strains as an alternative source of beta -glucan, and o f the importance of the chloroplast compartment in the synthesis of this co mpound.