Abstract:
Microbial catalases are preferred due to their economic feasibility, rapid growth, high yield, ease of product modification and optimization. Therefore the present study aimed to assess fungal production of catalase from Banana (Musa paradisiaca) and Mango (Mangifera indica) peel wastes. The experiment involved isolation, screening, biochemical characterization of catalase-producing fungal isolates from Mango and Banana peels waste, and also the optimization of factors affecting catalase activity. The result of macroscopic and microscopic examination of the fungal morphotypes cultured onto Banana and Mango peels waste indicated the growth of catalase-positive fungal isolates belonging to three genera of fungi Fusarium and Penicillium from Mango peel while only Aspergillus sp was isolated from Banana peel. Aspergillus sp has presented maximum catalase activity (39.81U/mL) at pH_9 indicating the optimum pH for catalase activity is around pH_9, and a maximum catalase activity (134.50U/mL) at 60oC. Conversely, Penicillium sp has recorded maximum catalase activity (34.50U/mL) at pH_8 indicating that the optimum enzyme activity for Penicillium sp was around pH_8, and a maximum catalase activity (75.88U/mL) at 60oC. The maximum catalase activity for Aspergillus sp (86.25U/mL) was recorded at inoculum size 4mg/mL. Similarly, Penicillium sp has recorded maximum catalase activity at inoculums size (51.75U/mL). The maximum catalase activity for Aspergillus sp (57.50 U/mL) and Penicillium sp(43.13 U/mL) was recorded during 3 days of incubation. The maximum catalase activity (207.00U/mL) was recorded for Aspergillus sp isolate and the maximum catalase production for Penicillium sp isolate was 103.5U/mL with 20g/L of starch supplement. Aspergillus sp isolate has recorded the maximum catalase activity (129.38U/mL) while Penicillium sp isolate has recorded the maximum enzyme activity (86.25U/mL) at 15g/L yeast extract.It can be concluded from the present study that Aspergillus and Penicillium spp were chosen as they showed significant catalase activity compared to other catalase-producing fungi.
