Amylase activities and cyanide tolerance of five cassava tuber spoilage molds

Abstract

AbstractStudies on the amylase activities and tolerance to cyanide by five spoilage molds of cassava tuber were carried out. None of the test fungi grew in 0.1 g/ml concentration of potassium cyanide while only Aspergillus aculeatus and A. niger grew in 0.05 g/ml. Except for B. theobromae, all the other four molds synthesised amylases on the 2nd day of incubation. Highest amylase activities by the molds were recorded between pH 6–7 and at 25°C. The molds degraded satisfactorily the raw starch and protein contents of the blended cassava tuber pulp. Total reducing sugars were detected in large quantities from the mold deteriorated cassava tuber.