Production of Proteolytic Enzymes by a Keratin-Degrading Aspergillus niger

A fungal isolate with capability to grow in keratinous substrate as only source of carbon and nitrogen was identified as Aspergillus niger using the sequencing of the ITS region of the rDNA. This strain produced a slightly acid keratinase and an acid protease during cultivation in feather meal. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Enzyme Research 2011, Vol.2011 (2011), p.485-493
Main Authors: Lopes, Fernanda Cortez, Silva, Lucas André Dedavid e, Tichota, Deise Michele, Daroit, Daniel Joner, Velho, Renata Voltolini, Pereira, Jamile Queiroz, Corrêa, Ana Paula Folmer, Brandelli, Adriano
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aspergillus
Genetic aspects
Keratin
Physiological aspects
Proteases
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Summary:A fungal isolate with capability to grow in keratinous substrate as only source of carbon and nitrogen was identified as Aspergillus niger using the sequencing of the ITS region of the rDNA. This strain produced a slightly acid keratinase and an acid protease during cultivation in feather meal. The peak of keratinolytic activity occurred in 48 h and the maximum proteolytic activity in 96 h. These enzymes were partly characterized as serine protease and aspartic protease, respectively. The effects of feather meal concentration and initial pH on enzyme production were evaluated using a central composite design combined with response surface methodology. The optimal conditions were determined as pH 5.0 for protease and 7.8 for keratinase and 20 g/L of feather meal, showing that both models were predictive. Production of keratinases by A. niger is a less-exploited field that might represent a novel and promising biotechnological application for this microorganism.
ISSN:2090-0414
2090-0406
2090-0414
DOI:10.4061/2011/487093