Production of phenolics by immobilized cells of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: the role of epiphytic bacteria Authors María Blanch Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Yolanda Blanco Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Blanca Fontaniella Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain María-Estrella Legaz Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Carlos Vicente Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Keywords: Pseudevernia furfuracea, cell immobilization, phenolics, lichens, epiphytic bacteria Abstract Immobilized lichen cells from the thalli of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, supplied with acetate as the only source of carbon, continuously produced phenolic substances, atranorin and physodic acid, over 23 days. Epiphytic bacteria associated with the lichen thallus grew actively, probably using both acetate and reduced compounds supplied by lichen cells, since their active growth was avoided by including 10 μM 3,3′-dichlorophenyl-1,1′ dimethylurea in the bath solution. Penicillin largely impeded the growth of epiphytic bacteria and decreased phenolic production, which was recovered only at the end of the experimental period, just when the bacteria started a slow, but active growth. We suggest the cooperation of epiphytic bacteria in the biosynthesis of both atranotrin and physodic acid. Downloads PDF Published 2010-03-12 Issue Vol. 4 No. 2 (2001) Section Research Articles License Submission of a manuscript to International Microbiology implies: that the work described has not been published before, including publication in the World Wide Web (except in the form of an Abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that all the coauthors have agreed to its publication. The corresponding author signs for and accepts responsability for releasing this material and will act on behalf of any and all coauthors regarding the editorial review and publication process.If an article is accepted for publication in International Microbiology, the authors (or other copyright holder) must transfer to the journal the right–not exclusive–to reproduce and distribute the article including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature. Nevertheless, all article in International Microbiology will be available on the Internet to any reader at no cost. The journal allows users to freely download, copy, print, distribute, search, and link to the full text of any article, provided the authorship and source of the published article is cited. The copyright owner's consent does not include copying for new works, or resale. In these cases, the specific written permission of International Microbiology must first be obtained.Authors are requested to create a link to the published article on the journal's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The original publication is available on LINK at <http://www.im.microbios.org>. Please use the appropiate URL for the article in LINK. Articles disseminated via LINK are indexed, abstracted, and referenced by many abstracting and information services, bibliographic networks, subscription agencies, library networks, and consortia.
