Influence of growth conditions on the production of xylanolytic enzymes byAspergillus flavus

Investigations were carried out to optimize the culture conditions for the production of xylanase and beta-xylosidase by Aspergillus flavus, a filamen tous fungus isolated from soil. The production of enzymes was tolerant to a wide range of initial culture pH values. Maximum xylanase (190 U/ml) and b eta-xylosidase (35 U/ml) production was obtained when the strain was grown on mineral medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) corn cob powder as the carbon source. The enzymes had optimal activities at pH values between 5.5 and 6.0 and exhibited high activity and stability under alkaline conditions.