Production of enzymes by test fungi isolated from stored mustard seeds.

Abstract

Brown mustard (Brassica juncea cv Pusabold) is one of the oilseed crop commonly grown in cooler region of India and widely distributed. Pure and clean seeds stored in cotton bag and proceed for the incidence and isolation of seed mycoflora in every month of a year storage period. Total 28 fungi were isolated from mustard seeds but frequently occurring dominant fungi (test fungi) throughout the year were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus. A. fumigatus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium oxalicum. In the present study, attempts have been made for the production of extra cellular lipase, protease and amylase enzymes by test fungi from mustard seeds. The test fungi were grown in sterilized czapek’s broth liquid medium and incubated for 7, 14 and 21 days at 28 ±1⁰C. After completion of every incubation period the contents were filtered and centrifuged. The filtrates were used as crude enzyme extract for the respective enzyme assay. In the present investigation, it is found that species of Aspergillus found higher lipase production than other test fungi. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium oxalicum gives higher ability to produce protease enzymes while Aspergillus flavus had been recorded as higher ability to produce amylase than other fungi. In the enzyme assay, it is seen that the enzyme activity depends on incubation of test fungal filtrates.