Abstract

STUDY OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS FOR EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASE PRODUCTION BY FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM

Devyani Sharma, Ashish Saraf*, Kamlesh Shukla and Vishwaprakash Roy

ABSTRACT

Proteases represent one of the major class of industrial enzymes, they execute a large variety of functions and have important biotechnological applications. Proteases account for a major share of the enzyme market all over the world and are the most extensively exploited commercial enzymes in detergents, leather, food, pharmaceutical industries and bioremediation processes. The occurrence of proteases are very much diversified amongst living world such as plants, animals and microorganisms but predominantly they are produced by fungi and bacteria. Fungi elaborate a wide range of proteolytic enzymes as compare to bacteria. Present study deals with isolation of prominent protease producing fungal flora from protein rich habitat (Slaughter house) and its identification. Preliminary screening for protease production was done by incorporating 1% gelatin in basal agar medium. Data recorded in the tables and graphs reveals that test fungal strains (F. oxysporum), isolated from protein rich habitat. Highest protease production by F. oxysporum was recorded at pH 6.5 followed by pH 6.0, but gradually declined beyond these values was observed. Enzyme production by test fungi varies significantly with increase and decrease in temperature and maximum yield was observed at temperature 35 ± 2ºC. Carbon sources such as starch significantly enhanced enzyme production by test fungi followed by Sucrose, maltose, and cellulose. Whereas addition of inorganic nitrogen sources suppressed enzyme production, except urea and sodium nitrate which Stimulated extracellular protease liberation in the medium at lower concentration while at higher concentration enzyme production declined significantly.

Keywords: Fusarium oxysporum, Protease, Enzyme, Metabolic Activities.