Screening of Locally Isolated Penicillium Species from the Soil for Amylase Production

Background: A number of microorganisms are capable of degrading amylase and only a few of these microorganisms produce significant quantities of enzymes capable of completely hydrolyzing the amylase. Fungi are the main amylase-producing microorganisms.

Aims: The present study targeted to screen Penicillium species isolated locally from soil for amylase production.

Materials and Methods: In this research, fungal species belonging to genera penicillum species were isolated from soil and screened for their ability to degrade cellulose (lactose, fructose, sucrose and dextrose) for enzyme activity. Enzymatic fungi were evaluated after 7 days for the production of amylase enzymes by lactophenol microscopic examination. The concentrations for 7 days of production were formulated by dilution method as 0.148 mg/ml, 0.313 mg/ml, 0.303 mg/ml, 0.127 mg/ml, 0.161 mg/ml, 0.079 mg/ml and 0.099 mg/ml respectively.

Results: The maximum amylase production was obtained on the 2nd day of production which was 0.313 mg/ml and minimum production was obtained on the 6th day of production which was 0.079 mg/ml. Optimal pH was obtained at pH of 6 and temperature of 45°C with concentrations 0.587 mg/ml and 0.090 mg/ml.

Conclusion: The results of this study implied that a high concentration of enzymatic fungi could be obtained locally from the soil and the Penicillium isolates hold varied industrial production of amylase.