Cellulases and pectinases activities of fungi isolated from spices and herbs commonly consumed in Taiz governorate, republic of Yemen

Abstract EN

Screening for cellulase production by fungi using carboxy methyle cellulose (CMC) Czapek's agar medium was evaluated.

Among 300 isolates, isolated from different kinds of spices and herbs examined, 222 (74.0 %) could produce the CMC ase enzyme.

From the positive isolates 21 isolates (9.5 %) exhibited high cellulase enzyme production.

Whereas, 186 (83.8 %) showed moderate producers and 15 (6.7 %) with weak producers.

Aspergillus flavus, A.

flavus var.

columnaris, A.

oryzae, A.

tamarii, Penicillium brevicompactum and P.

aurantiocandidum were the most species which produce the enzyme in high activity.

By using CMC liquid medium and measuring the reducing sugars (μg / ml / h) cellulase activity of common isolates (114 isolates) was tested.

Ninety-seven isolates (85.0 %) were able to produce the enzymes.

Among the positive isolates 5 isolates (5.2 %) exhibited high enzyme production, which related to Aspergillus flavus (2 isolates), A.

oryzae (2) and A.

tamarii (1), whereas, 51 isolates (52.6 %) showed moderate production By using pectin liquid medium and measuring the reducing sugars (μg / ml / h) pectinase activity of 114 isolates was tested.

All isolates were able to produce the enzymes.

Among the positiveisolates, 13 isolates (11.40 %) exhibited high enzyme production which related to Alternaria dianthi (1 isolate), Aspergillus aculeatus (1), A.

flavo-furcatis (2), A.

flavus (3), A.

oryzae (2), A.

parasiticus (1), Mucor circinelloides (1), Trichoderma koningii (1) and sterile mycelia (1).

Whereas, 56 isolates (49.12 %) showed moderate producers.

The remaining 45 isolates with weak producers.

(39.47 %)