Screening fungi for synthesis of keratinolytic enzymes

Almost 300 common fungi were screened for synthesis of extracellular kerati nases. about 54% of the fungi grew on agar plates with soluble keratin and excreted the enzymes. Some representatives of Fusarium, Acremonium and Geot richum were the most active. However, when cultivating the promising strain s in submerged conditions in a medium with porcine nail as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, other fungi proved to be potent. Aspergillus flavus was the most powerful producer of extracellular keratinases, followed by A lternaria radicina, Trichurus spiralis and Stachybotrys atra.