Structural and Nanomechanical Properties of Termitomyces clypeatus Cell Wall and Its Interaction with Chromium(VI)

Alterations of cell surface properties accompanying the complex life cycle of Termitomyces clypeatus have been monitored using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A new hyphae/mycelium is developed on cell division, and the cell wall of the mycelium undergoes a process of internal reorganization (or maturation) followed by morphological and chemical alterations. The changes of the surface ultrastructures during the growth process are correlated to the corresponding changes in relative viscoelasticity and rigidity of the cell wall by employing force spectroscopy. The cell wall rigidity and elasticity are found to be 0.34 ± 0.02 N/m and 27.5 ± 2.1 MPa, respectively, at the early logarithmic phase, on maturation increase to reach 0.81 ± 0.08 N/m and 92.5 ± 12 MPa, respectively, at the stationary phase, and thereafter decrease to 0.62 ± 0.06 N/m and 61.6 ± 6.6 MPa at the death phase. The alterations of the ultrastructural and nanomechanical properties of the cell surface as functions of growth phases affect the interaction involving chromium and T. clypeatus.