Induction of fruiting in oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) by polymeric 3-alkylpyridinium salts.

Polymeric 3-alkylpyridinium salts (poly-APS), surface-active compounds from the marine sponge Reniera sarai, have been shown to stimulate the fruit body formation from Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium. In nutrient media supplemented with poly-APS (>or= 0.01 microg ml(-1)), the formation of primordia and development of fruit bodies were detected approximately 10d earlier than in the absence of poly-APS, and also led to a considerably larger quantity of young mushrooms. This effect appears to be specific, as other surface-active compounds, lysophospholipids and fatty acids, showed no induction of fruiting.