OPTIMIZATION OF CULTURE CONDITIONS FOR PHYTASE PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS PHY168 ISOLATED FROM SOIL

Abstract

The present study deals with optimization of culture conditions for phytase production by indigenous strain of Aspergillus flavus PHY168 isolated from soil of livestock farms in Lahore district of Punjab, Pakistan. Best phytase producing isolate was selected based on size of zone of hydrolysis on plate of phytase screening medium agar and identified as A. flavus PHY168 by morphological methods. Culture conditions were optimized for maximum phytase production by A. lavus using one variable approach. Effect of temperature, pH, substrate type and concentration was studied using submerged fermentation. Results indicated that maximum phytase production was noted at temperature 350C, pH 5 and 5% rice bran as substrate. Agricultural bye-products such as rice bran can be used for cost effective phytase production under optimized conditions. Thus, indigenous A.
flavus PHY168 can be used for large scale phytase production to meet its requirements in food and feed industries.