Screening of fungi isolated from poultry farm soil for keratinolytic activity

Poultry farm soil samples collected from different localities of Ernakulum and Thrissur districts of K erala were screened for the keratinolytic fungi. During the co urse of study 8 different fungi were isolated and i Aspergillus, Chrysosporium, Microsporum, Trychophyt on and Penicillium were the fungi isolated and were grown in wheat bran substrate. Feather keratin powder was added to the substrate to enhance the enzyme produ ction. They were found utilizing keratin substrate releasi ng keratinase enzyme into the medium. These enzymes were assayed for their activity. Some cultural condition s were tested to attain maximum Keratinase producti on. Maximum enzyme production was reached on the 4 th day of incubation of the culture at 37 o C and pH 8.5