Studies on Fungal -mannanases

Abstract

The present work was initiated by screening different fungi for their -mannanase activities on liquid medium containing locust been gum as the sole carbon source and to select the most potent strain for the production of -mannanase enzyme. Detailed investigation on optimum cultural conditions for the production of ­ mannanase was carried out. The studies were also directed for studying different possibilities for cell immobilization of the fungal strain used for continuous production of -mannanase.

1- A screening program was done for seven local and foreign fungi to examine their ability to produce -mannanase enzymes using free cells in shaken and static conditions and for different incubation periods. Of the fungi tested, Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 3488 showed the highest -mannanase activity in static culture after 7 days.

2- Production of -mannanase by Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 3488 under different cultural conditions was investigated. The synthesis of the enzyme was found to be affected by inoculum concentration and maximum yield was obtained by using 5 ml inoculum per 50 ml culture medium.