Abstract

EFFECT OF VARIOUS PHYSIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ASPERGILLUS TERREUS

Harpreet Kaur and Daljit Singh Arora*

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus terreus isolated from soil showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against different pathogenic microorganisms including MRSA. Optimization of physiochemical parameters revealed the optimum period of incubation for best antimicrobial activity to be 5 days. Shaking conditions were found to be better than static cultures. The antimicrobial potential of the fungus was optimally best between pH 5-7. Incubation temperature of 25°C found to be optimum for growth as well as antimicrobial activity. Starch as a carbon source at a concentration of 1% was best for antimicrobial production. Yeast extract and soyabean meal (1%) were found to be the best nitrogen rich sources for maximum biomass and antimicrobial activity. Extraction with different organic solvents demonstrated ethyl acetate to be the best for maximum antimicrobial activity against the entire microorganisms used in the study.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Aspergillus, optimization, Soil fungi.