PRODUCTION OF EXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES BY ANTARCTIC FUNGAL STRAINS

Thirty-three fungal strains, isolated from different sites on Victoria Land (continental Antarctica), were plate-screened for their ability to produce twelve extracellular enzymes. Lipases were generally presen t and in high quantities in almost all the strains. Polygalacturonase, as well as amylase and phosphatase, was common. Glucose oxidase, prot ease and DNAase appeared to be generally low or absent. Many strains, producing a limited number of enzymes, appeared to have a low eco-nutr itional versatility while a few, such as Verticillium cfr. lecanii no. 1, V. cfr. lecanii no. 3, Aspergillus versicolor and Phoma sp. no. 2, showing a diversified enzymatic competence, are probably advantaged i n extreme terrestrial environments characterized by low competition. T he possibility of utilizing the enzyme-producing ability of these fung i in applied research is also discussed.