Genus/species: Cryptococcus albidus as the asexual (anamorphic) form; Filobasidiella neoformans when sexual (telemorphic)
Classification: Basidiomycete
Morphology:
- Cell: encapsulated globose to ovoid yeast cells 3.1-3.0 x 3.5-6.2 mm in diameter
- Colony: varied colony morphology due to the species composition being a complex of species, according to DNA analysis
- Spore: In the sexual form of Filobasidiella neoformans, four nuclei remain in the basidia while the spores are budding out basipetally
- Zygote: Budding (Zygote develops in sexual form, Filobasidiella neoformans)
- Ascus: Cells are not enclosed in an ascus
- Liquid Growth: (ie dispersed, pellicle, film, clumpy) dispersed
Physiological Traits:
- Produces pectic enzyme
- Fermentation: none
- Assimilation: Glucose; variable assimilation of: Galactose, Sorbose, Glucosamine, Ribose, D-Xylose, L & D- Arabinose, Rhamnose, Sucorse, Maltose, Trehalose, Cellobiose, Salicin, Arbutin, Melibose, Lactose, Raffinose, Melezitiose, Starch, Succinate, Lactate, Citrate, Glucuronate, Glycerol, Ribitol, Xylitol, Arabinatol, Glucitol, Galacticol, Mannitol, Ethanol; Variable assimilation of nitrate; nitrite assimilated. Variable use of other N compounds as sole N source by strain. No growth in vitamin free medium, requires biotin and thiamin (varies by strain).
- Growth : 37 C: no
- Growth sensitivities: not resistant to cycloheximide or NaCl
Ecological Traits:
Pre-veraison, as well as barley pre-harvest. Also found in human infections, and bird excretia.
Distinguishing Features:
Ability to grow at low water potentials (the highest known for Cryptococcus spp.)
Role in wine:
Found on grapes, especially in cooler climates pre-veraison, and in barrels post-fermentation and in unfermented musts. Has no role in wine.
Sensitivities:
- SO2:
- Sorbate:
- DMDC: X
- pH: X
- Acids: X
- Ethanol: X
- Anaerobiosis: X
- Heat:X
References:
- Bisson, L.F., C.M.L. Joseph. Biology of Microorganisms on Grapes, in Must and in Wine. Springer-Verlag. Berlin Heidelberg. 2009.
- Federici, F., G. Montedoro, M. Servili, and M. Petruccioli. (1988). Pectic enzyme production by Cryptococcus albidus var.albidus on olive vegetation waters enriched with sunflower calathide meal. Biological Wastes. 25: 291-301
- Fonseca, A., G. Scorzetti, and J. Fell. (2000). Diversity in the yeast Cryptococcus albidus and related species as revealed by ribosomal DNA analysis. Can. J. Micro. 46(1): 7-27
- Kwon-Chung, K.J., (1976). Morphogenesis of Filobasidiella neoformans, the sexual state of Cryptococcus neoformans.Mycologia. 68:4:821-833
- Pedroso, R.d.S., J.C. Ferreira, M.A.S. Labrador, C.M.L. Maffei, and R.C. Candido. (2009). Evaluation of the experimental inoculation of Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii in normal mice: virulence factors and molecular profile before and after animal passage. Mycopathologia.
- Vishniac, H.S. (1995). Simulated in situ competitive ability and survival of a representative soil yeast, Cryptococcus albidus.Microb ecol. 30:309-320