Extracellular enzymatic activity of Fusarium section Liseola isolates

Extracellular enzymatic activity of Fusarium species from section Liseola w as determined by the Api-Zym(R) test, a semiquantitative method for assayin g different cellular enzymes. This enzyme testing system was evaluated for possible use as a species identification aid. Twenty-two strains of Fusariu m section Liseola were used: 8 of F. moniliforme, 6 of F. proliferatum, 6 o f F. subglutinans and 2 of F. anthophilum. The optimal spore concentration was also determined for maximal activity in Api-Zym(R) assay. According to our findings, the species showed little difference in Api-Zym(R) enzymatic profiles, being not suitable for identification of these species. Only F. s ubglutinans and F. anthophilum showed a different enzymatic pattern.