Screening of Phytase Overproducing Strains in Aspergillus spp. by UV Mutagenesis

Phytases (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.8) are enzymes which catalyze the hydrolisys of phytate into myo-inositol and inorganic phosphates. Phytases are found in plants and a variety of microorganisms. Aspergillus species were treated with 254 nm of UV irradiation for the screening of phytase overproducing mutant strains. At 15 minute irradiation, the survivals of population were less than 5%, and UV irradiation time was decided at 20 minute for the isolation of mutant strains. Four UV mutant strains in A. oryzae (YUV-47, -169, -341, -511) and six in A. ficuum (FUV-17, -36, -69, -193, -317, -419) were isolated on PSM media containing ammonium phosphate. The specific enzyme activities of A. ficuum mutants are 110 to 140% higher than that of wild type.