Sclerotial development, melanin production and lipid peroxidation bySclerotium rolfsii

Melanin pigments constituted 13.9% (W/W) of sclerotial walls ofSclerotium rolfsii. The lipid and ash contents in sclerotial walls were twice those in hyphal walls of the fungus. Progress in culture age and maturation of sclerotia were always accompanied by increased levels of lipid peroxidation products and melanin. Lipid peroxidation and melanin formation may thus proceed in parallel during sclerotial biogenesis and maturation. Both these processes are strongly affected by Fe²⁺ and by antioxidant vitamins (ascorbic acid), microelements (selenium) and mercapto compounds (glutathione). Myceliogenic germination and lytic activityvia melanin production can thus be affected by (anti)oxidants that could potentially be used for controlling sclerotia-producing fungi without using traditional toxic fungicides.