HYALURONIDASE AND CHONDROITIN SULFATASE PRODUCTION BY DIFFERENT SPECIES OF CANDIDA

The production of hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulphatase by Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida guilliermo ndii and Candida krusei was investigated using a complex culture mediu m (Sabouraud glucose agar) and a chemically defined medium. Among the 63 C. albicans isolates tested, 61 (97.8%) were found to be hyaluronid ase and chondroitin sulphatase producers; one isolate produced only ch ondroitin sulphatase and one other was unable to produce either enzyme . The second major hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulphatase producing species was C. tropicalis followed by C. guilliermondii, C. parapsilos is and C. krusei Among the C. albicans isolates tested no relation bet ween the source of isolation and the amount of hyaluronidase and chond roitin sulphatase produced was found.