Physiological and cultural properties of the luminous fungus Omphalotus af. illudent

Abstract

The luminous fungus that we have described as a presumably new species, Omphalotus af. illudent, grows in rain forests in the south of Vietnam on the dead tree wood, mostly on the rubber tree (Hevea). It emits exceptionally bright light in all phases of its life cycle, from germinate spores and mycelium to fruiting bodies. This study describes the life cycle of Omphalotus af. illudent (Neonatapanus) and determination of the optimal parameters of the temperature, humidity, pH, concentration of mineral elements, and composition of the nutrient media. Measurements have been performed to determine the destructive enzymatic activity of the mycelium towards some of the wood components. Optimal mycelial growth and luminescence have been found to occur under different conditions. The study of the parameters of Omphalotus af.illudent provided a basis for successful large-scale cultivation of this fungus and, hence, preparation of sufficient quantities of material for studies of the biochemical and genetic mechanisms underlying fungal bioluminescence and examination of the biochemical components of the fungus that are potentially valuable for pharmacology (illudin etc.). The brightness and steadiness of Omphalotus af. illudent luminescence make this fungus a good candidate for continuous bioluminescent analytical systems.