Strain improvement by induction of mutagenesis for hyper production of pectinase using Aspergillustamarii

Abstract

The present study describes the improvement of previously isolated fungal strain, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Aspergillustamarii,</i> for pectinase production by application of multistep mutagenesis using physical (UV irradiation)and chemical agents(Colchicine, Ethidium bromide and Hydrogen peroxide).Mutants obtained after 1^st treatment was screened for activity and the high producing strains were selected. The selected 1^st generation mutants were treated for two times at same concentration with same mutagen to obtain third generation mutants. The wild/parent strain cultivated in previously determined production media, Citrus peel - groundnut oil cake (CG) showed its maximum activity of pectinase production (59 U/ml). The best mutant identified in third generation mutants after quantitative analysis was<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>H9 having treatment with Hydrogen peroxideat (concentration,9 µl). This mutant showed 8% increase in pectinase production compared to wild strain when cultivated in the CG production media.Stability of mutant was attained due to repeated mutagenic treatments.