Raw starch-degrading enzyme from newly isolated strains of endophytic fungi

Four newly isolated strains of endophytic fungi namely Gibberella pulicaris , Acremonium sp., `Synnematous' sp. and Nodilusporium sp. were compared for their degradative activity on raw and gelatinized starches, substrate spec ificity and optimum pH. Results showed that the raw starch-degrading enzyme from Acremonium sp. had a broad activity towards both small and large gran ule size of raw starches while the enzyme from other strains showed high ac tivity toward starches of smaller granule size. Analysis of the end product by TLC showed that enzyme from Gibberella pulicaris, Acremonium and Nodilu sporium sp. hydrolysed raw sago starch to produce solely glucose but the en zyme of `Synnematous' sp. produced glucose and maltose.