Abstract

Interspecific protoplast fusion of Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus for the enhancement of lovastatin production

Author(s): V.Kavitha, J.Angayarkanni

A standard method for isolation, fusion and regeneration of protoplasts fromAspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus was developed. The protoplasts from A. flavus and A. terreus were isolated using Novozym 234 and cellulasse as lytic enzyme and potassium chloride as osmotic stabilizer. The interspecific fusion frequency was determined using 40% polyethylene glycol as fusogen. The regenerated fusants morphology, mycelia protein pattern, RAPD analysis and lovastatin analysis were compared with parental strains. Upon 7 days of fermentation, the stable fusant, produced lovastatin 0.92 mg/g which is higher than their parent wild type strains.