Saprotrophic nutrition /sæprəˈtrɒfɪk, -proʊ-/[1]orlysotrophic nutrition[2] is a process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed (dead or waste) organic matter. It occurs in saprotrophs, and is most often associated with fungi (for example Mucor) and soil bacteria. Saprotrophic microscopic fungi are sometimes called saprobes. Saprotrophic plants or bacterial flora are called saprophytes (sapro- 'rotten material' + -phyte 'plant'), although it is now believed[citation needed] that all plants previously thought to be saprotrophic are in fact parasites of microscopic fungiorother plants. In fungi, the process is most often facilitated through the active transport of such materials through endocytosis within the internal mycelium and its constituent hyphae.[3]
Various word roots relating to decayed matter (detritus, sapro-), eating and nutrition (-vore, -phage), and plants or life forms (-phyte, -obe) produce various terms, such as detritivore, detritophage, saprotroph, saprophyte, saprophage, and saprobe; their meanings overlap, although technical distinctions (based on physiologic mechanisms) narrow the senses. For example, usage distinctions can be made based on macroscopic swallowing of detritus (as an earthworm does) versus microscopic lysis of detritus (as a mushroom does).
As matter decomposes within a medium in which a saprotroph is residing, the saprotroph breaks such matter down into its composites.
These products are re-absorbed into the hypha through the cell wall by endocytosis and passed on throughout the mycelium complex. This facilitates the passage of such materials throughout the organism and allows for growth and, if necessary, repair.[3]
In order for a saprotrophic organism to facilitate optimal growth and repair, favourable conditions and nutrients must be present.[5] Optimal conditions refers to several conditions which optimise the growth of saprotrophic organisms, such as;
The majority of nutrients taken in by such organisms must be able to provide carbon, proteins, vitamins and, in some cases, ions. Due to the carbon composition of the majority of organisms, dead and organic matter provide rich sources of disaccharides and polysaccharides such as maltose and starch, and of the monosaccharide glucose.[3]
In terms of nitrogen-rich sources, saprotrophs require combined protein for the creation of proteins, which is facilitated by the absorption of amino acids, and usually taken from rich soil. Although both ions and vitamins are rare[clarification needed], thiamine (vitamin B1) or ions such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphate aid the growth of the mycelium.[3]
