Primary fluorescence (autofluorescence) of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungus Fomes fomentarius

Abstract

Autofluorescence of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungus Fomes fomentarius has been observed and is described among native macrofungi for the first time. The strongest yellow autofluorescence with blue excitation was displayed by pith sets, a weaker yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red fluorescence was due to generative thin-walled hyphae while the weakest yellow-reddish fluorescence was emitted by thick-walled skeletal hyphae (though their parts may emit a more intensive yellow fluorescence). This yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red autofluorescence was assessed to be more intensive than the emission described so far in bacteria and fungi (except for lysed hyphae of the fungus Trametes versicolor). With green excitation all F. fomentarius cells emitted strong red autofluorescence.