Hydrolytic enzymes and biodeterioration of groundnut seeds

Abstract

Some common seed borne fungal isolates of Groundnut variety TAG-24 and SB-XI were screened for their ability to produce the hydrolytic enzymes. For this the test seed borne fungal isolates of Groundnut were grown on substrate and nonsubstrate glucose nitrate media for seven days at room temperature. After seven days of incubation the culture filtrates were collected separately and considered them as the crude enzyme preparation. The crude enzyme preparations were assayed by different methods under different conditions. Both varieties of Groundnut Aspergillus terreus and Sclerotium rolfsii were found to be highly amlolytic. All the test isolates of the Groundnut variety TAG-24 and SB-XI produced protease in both the media. Maximum protease production was found by Aspergillus flavus followed by Fusarium oxysporum. All the test isolates produced cellulase in both the media. Maximum cellulase production was found in Sclerotium rolfsii followed by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus. Among the seven test isolates Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Macrophomina phaseolina could not produce pectinase in the absence of substrate but the production was observed in the presence of substrate