Screening of Tannase-Producing Fungi Isolated from Tannin-Rich Sources

Realizing the importance of the enzyme tannase, the present study aims to isolate and screen hightannase-producing fungi from tannin-rich sources. One hundred and five isolates of tannase-producingfungi were isolated from nineteen tannin-rich sources from local environment in Egypt. Isolates wereidentified and primary screened using tannic acid agar plate method. Eleven fungal cultures were chosenas the best tannase producers. These fungal cultures were subjected to quantitative secondary screeningfor tannase production using submerged fermentation technique. Accordingly, four fungal cultures, whichexhibited high tannase activity were chosen to undergo final screening. A fungal culture, isolated fromtannery soil sample, was considered as the most promising and identified as Aspergillus niger VanTieghem. Tannase produced by the fungus was mainly extracellular with negligible intracellular tannaseand considered as inducible enzyme.