Applications of phytase of thermophilic mould,Sporotrichum thermophile: A review

Abstract

This study presents a review on applications of phytase from thermophilic fungal isolate, <i>Sporotrichum</i>

<i>thermophile</i>. Under optimization, improvement in phytase production can be achieved in both solid state (2-fold)

and submerged (2.6-fold) fermentations. Phytase could also be produced by alginate-immobilized <i>S. thermophile</i>,

and enzyme production was sustainable over 5 repeated cycles. Purified phytase is a homopentameric glycoprotein

(mol mass, 456 kD) and is optimally active at pH 5.0 and 60°C with a T1/2 of 16 h at 60°C and 90 min at 80°C. It

is insensitive to trypsin and pepsin, and unaffected by EDTA. Phytase has all requisite properties for application

as a feed and food additive, dephytinization of soymilk and wheat flour and soil conditioner for plant growth promotion.