Growth stimulation and inhibition of Candida albicans by metabolic by-products

Morphological mutants obtained from one strain ofCandida albicans were able to synthesize, from simple inorganic salts, glucose, and biotin a variety of complex organic molecules. The organic substances, detected in culture filtrates, were not identical for all the mutants or for the parental form from which they were derived. The substances were found to inhibit or stimulate cell growth, mycelium production, and also to influence the reductive and enzymatic abilities of other cells. Polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and DNA were detected in the extracellular medium.