SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF GIANT CELLS OF PENICILLIUM CITRINUM

Abstract

Whole cells and cell wall of Penicillium citrinum giant cells induced by tunicamycin and normal mycelia were examined in detail by scanning electron microscopy. Cell wall of giant cells was thicker (500-1, 000μm) than those of normal mycelia (about 200μm). Process of morphological change of giant cells to hyphae in the absence of tunicamycin and regeneration of protoplasts in the presence or absence of tunicamycin were also followed microscopically.