The production of hemicellulases by aerobic fungi on medium containing residues of banana plant as substrate

Trichoderma harzianum strains T4 and T6, Acrophialophora nainiana, and Humi cola grisea var. thermoidea were screened for their ability to produce carb ohydrate-degrading enzyme activities in a medium containing banana plant re sidue as the carbon source. The best balance of enzyme activities was obtai ned from cultures of H. grisea var. thermoidea. Xylanase activity from crud e extract of A. nainiana had a maximum activity at pH 5.5-7.0 and a tempera ture range of 50-55 degrees C. It was stable up to 55 degrees C at pH 7.0 f or at least 2 h. The fungi were also able to produce xylanase and pectinase activities when grown on extractives as substrate.