Research Paper ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF CULTURAL CONDITIONS FOR AMYLASE PRODUCTION FROM FUNGI

The soil samples were collected and were primarily screened for isolation of amylase producing fungi. Among the isolated fungi, amylase producing isolates were identified by growing on starch agar media. The isolates exhibiting the maximum zone of clearance on starch agar media by iodine were identified and were subcultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The isolates were morphologically characterized by performing cotton blue staining and were identified as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Microsporium sp and Fusarium sp. Isolate Penicillium chrysogenum was the most potent producer of alkaline amylase was identified showing highest activity in the optimized medium at pH 8.0, temperature 45oC, with 1% wheat bran and peptone incubated for 7 days.