Isolation and Molecular Identification of Asparaginase Producing Thermophilic Fungi from Decomposing Wastes

Abstract

L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme of significant biomedical and industrial interest, primarily used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and as a food processing aid to reduce acrylamide formation. While microbial sources are common, there is growing interest in novel sources, especially thermophilic fungi, which can offer enzymes with enhanced stability at high temperatures. This study aimed to isolate, screen, and molecularly identify potent L-asparginase producing thermophilic fungi from decomposing organic wastes. Fungal strains were isolated from various decomposing waste samples using Dilution plate technique and plated on YESA medium. Then they were screened for asparginase production using modified Czapek Dox agar media supplemented with different conc. of phenyl red dye. The most potent producers were further identified using both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequence data. The most potent producers were identified as Thermomyces lanuginosus strain (ATCC 200065) and Aspergillus oryzae (RIB40).

KEYWORDS

L-asparaginase , Thermophilic fungi, Dilution plate technique and decomposing wastes