In vitro investigation of some plant-associated fungi as biological synthesizers of L-asparaginase

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Golestan, 4918943464, Iran.

Abstract

Fungi are promising sources of novel bioactive metabolites due to their abundant extracellular enzyme production, easy extraction, and purification. This study aimed to investigate the capability of some plant-associated fungi to produce L-asparaginase enzymes. Twenty plant-associated fungi were inoculated into a modified Czapex Dox broth medium containing 10.0 g/L L-asparagine and 0.3 mL of 2.5% phenol red (pH 7), and maintained at 25 ± 2 °C, for 7 days. The L-asparaginase enzyme activity was evaluated by measuring the amount of free ammonia released through the hydrolysis of L-asparagine through UV-visible spectrophotometry analysis at 450 nm. Seventy percent of the studied fungi could produce the L-asparaginase enzyme. Trichoderma atroviride, Aspergillus flavus, and T. harzianum demonstrated the highest production of L-asparaginase enzyme by 0.47, 0.35, and 0.24 U/mL, respectively. Furthermore, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. ramotenellum and Verticillium dahliae with 0.022, 0.009 and 0.015 U/mL, respectively, showed the lowest production of the L-asparaginase enzyme among the others. This research also reports the first successful production of the L-asparaginase enzyme from Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia trifolii, T. atroviride, T. harzianum, and T. virens. Plant-associated fungi represent a promising resource for the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to produce bioactive compounds such as L-asparaginase. While their use may contribute to more sustainable and potentially cost-effective production, successful large-scale application depends on multiple factors beyond enzyme production, including cultivation feasibility, purification processes, and regulatory considerations.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Mycologia Iranica
Volume 12, Issue 1
May 2025
Pages 59-67

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 30 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 03 May 2025
  • Publish Date: 01 May 2025

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