DIVERSITY OF PHYTASE PRODUCING NON-TOXIGENIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM SOIL - A. Ahmad; A. A. Anjum; M. Rabbani; K. Ashraf; M. Nawaz; S. Sana; A. Asif (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2018)
In present study diversity of phytase producing fungi isolated from soil of livestock farms in 10 percent villages of Lahore district of Punjab was explored. A total of 260 fungal isolates were obtained by soil dilution technique from soil samples (n=29) and qualitatively screened for phytase production on plates of phytase screening medium. Twenty eight (n=28) isolates were positive for phytase production. Out of 28 phytase producing fungi,13 isolates were toxigenic as detected by thin layer chromatography. Out of 15 non-toxigenic fungi, selected isolates (n=12) were identified as Aspergillus niger (n=7) and Aspergillus flavus (n=5) by morphological method using macroscopic and microscopic characters. The native non-toxigenic phytase producing fungi can be used for cost effective enzyme production on industrial level.
Keywords: journal article; Soil; livestock farms; phytase; thin layer chromatography; morphological method and cost effective