Isolation and Screening of Amylolytic Filamentous Fungi

Abstract

Filamentous fungi are important due to their high enzymes production potential. Many enzymes produced by fungi have related to biotechnological applications in several industrial sectors. The purpose of this study was to isolate filamentous fungi from different sources and to screen for amylases production potential. Fifteen fungal isolates of three genera, Aspergilus, Penicillium and Trichoderma were examined for their ability to produce amylase. All isolates exhibited enzymatic potential. Penicillium granulatum (FCBP1080), Aspergillus raperi (FCBP1007) and Aspergillus speluneus (FCBP1128) were hyper active in starch medium and showed the increased growth in starch medium as compare to control. This study contributes to catalogue local fungal isolated in Pakistan, and provides additional information to support future research about the industrial enzymes potential of these microorganisms for and, eventually, also secondary metabolites with antimicrobial or anti-parasitic activities. 

Key words: amylase, fungi, Penicillium, Aspergillus, enzymes