Production of an amylase-degrading raw starch by Gibberella pulicaris

An endophytic fungus, Gibberella pulicaris, produced an amylase which degra ded raw starches from cereals and other crops including raw potato, sago, t apioca, corn, wheat and rice starch. In each case, glucose was the main pro duct. Among the raw starches used, raw potato starch gave the highest enzym e activity (85 units mg(-1) protein) and raw wheat starch the lowest (49 un its mg(-1) protein). The highest amylase production (260 units mg(-1) prote in) was achieved when the concentration of raw potato starch was increased to 60 g l(-1). Optimum hydrolysis was at 40 degrees C and pH 5.5.