Potential Fungal Phytase Producers from Rhizosphere Soils

The objective of this study is to isolate, screen phytate-degrading fungi and to select potential organism that could secrete extracellular phytase which convert insoluble form of phosphorous(phytic acid) to an accessible form. About sixty three different fungal strains were isolated from different sites of rhizosphere soil. The isolate S2 was selected from positive strains, and checked for the quantitative production of phytaseenzyme both in static and submerged fermentation conditions. S2 was found to produce highest halo zone with phytase activity of 4.6U/ml in submerged state and 3.1U/ml in static state of fermentation at 4th day of incubation. The total biomass (1350mg/100ml) and total protein content (1280 mu g/ml) was also high in submerged state. The isolate was further characterized and identified as Aspergillusniger.