Identification of glucitol (sorbitol) and ribitol in a rust fungus, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici.

An examination of the soluble carbohydrates of the wheat stem rust fungus, Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Erikss. & E. Henn., showed the presence of glucitol (sorbitol), ribitol, fructose, and traces of xylitol, as well as confirming the presence of minnitol, arabitol, trehalose, inositol and erythritol. Ribitol and glucitol were major components in glucose-grown mycelium, and appeared to be the major components in mycelium parasitic on wheat leaves, but not in germinated or ungerminated uredospores. It is suggested that glucitol and ribitol may be intermediates (or by-products) of glucose utilization, whereas mannitol, arabitol and trehalose represent storage carbohydrates.