Induction of germ-tube formation by Candida albicans in amino acid liquid synthetic medium at 25 degrees C.

Candida albicans (3153A) was found to exhibit extensive germ-tube and mycelial development at 25 degrees C when transferred from amino acid synthetic medium at pH 6 to medium of pH 7. Significant germ-tube formation was detectable after approximately 8 h and in all experimental treatments, the peaks of maximal germination occurred at approximately 40-44 h. Such a transition was not only dependent on the initial pH of the medium but also on the glucose concentration and inoculum size. The optimum initial glucose concentration and inoculum size for maximal germ-tube development was 1.25% and 2 X 10(6) cells ml-1 respectively and above or below these values the extent of germ-tube formation was greatly reduced.