We have investigated the production of proteinase and phospholipase by 20 d
ifferent isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Isolates were grown in
Bacto-peptone, Dextrose, pH 5.5, agar slants, at 27 degrees C for 30 days,
and cultures were transferred onto Petri dishes containing basis medium and
bovine serum albumin fraction V and sterile egg yolk as substrates for enz
yme production, and incubated at 27 degrees C. After 30 days net enzyme act
ivity was visualized and quantitavely evaluated, measuring a ratio between
colony diameter and diameter of the transparent (proteinase) or white (phos
pholipase) ring zone surrounding it. Results demonstrated that all isolates
had the ability to produce proteinase and phospholipase, even though varia
bility in enzyme production was noted among different isolates of P. brasil
iensis.