Totally 35 fungi were isolated from poultry farm and feather dumping soil from Namakkal and Chennai (India), respectively. These isolated fungi were screened for the production of protease (gelatinase) on agar plates containing gelatin as the substrate in different pH 6, 7 and 8. The enzyme activity showed the clear zone around the fungal colonies due to hydrolysis of gelatin. This study suggests that the fungal strains were able to produce different amount of protease at acid, neutral and alkaline pH. The non-dermatophytic fungi were able to secrete high protease activity in all the pH than dermatophytes and closely related species. The fungi such as Paecilomyces carneus and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were produced highest protease activities in all the pH.
Keratinophilic fungi, plate assay, protease, screening
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