TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT EXPRESSION OF ELASTASE IN ASPERGILLUS SPECIES

We examined elastase production by Aspergillus species at different te mperatures. All 20 isolates failed to grow at 22-degrees-C, whereas 18 grew and 16 produced elastase at 37-degrees-C. Maximal production of elastase was at 33-degrees-C (compared with 30-degrees-C, 36-degrees-C and 42-degrees-C) in 11 Aspergillus fumigatus, three Aspergillus flav us and eight Aspergillus terreus isolates. All five Aspergillus niger isolates grew at 33-degrees-C but failed to produce an elastase zone. The optimal temperature for elastase expression was 33-degrees-C.