Degradation of hair keratin has been studied in three soil fungi differing in keratinolytic ability, viz. Keratinophyton terreum, Dictyoarthrinopsis kelleyi and Fusarium moniliforme. All fungi attacked the hair cuticle forming specialised mycelial organs, fronds, under the scale-like cuticular cells. The cortex was attacked by very thin “boring hyphae”. Their growth was intracellular and perpendicular to the hair axis. In Keratinophyton terreum older boring hyphae branched into complex formations, displayingclearlytic action on keratin. In Dictyoarthrinopsis kelleyi branching was rare and lysis of keratin weaker. In Fusarium moniliforme, a fungus not regarded askeratinophilic, the growth of boring hyphaeceasedearly and the lyticaction remained minimal. All fungi digested the less keratinised parts of the hairs (endocuticle, intercellular substance, interfibrillar matrix) prior to the lysis of hard keratin fibrils.
Kunert J., Novotný R. (2002): Degradation of human hair by three soil fungi. An electron microscopic study. – Czech Mycology 53(3): 189–201.
