GLUCOAMYLASE (α-1, 4-GLUCAN GLUCOHYDROLASE) PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER AS INFLUENCED BY MEDIUM COMPOSITION

Abstract

The production of glucoamylase (α-1, 4-glucan glucohydrolase) by Aspergillus niger, as a function of the composition of the growth medium was investigated. With D-mannose as the sole carbon source, the quantity and nature of the nitrogen compounds, as well as the amount of trace elements, were varied. The levels of glucoamylase, α-amylase (α-1, 4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase), and glucosyltransferase produced by the A. niger were influenced by the kind of nitrogen, the concentration of both nitrogen and carbohydrate, the concentration of trace elements and the pH of the medium. Conditions were established for the production of glucoamylase with minimal quantities of α-amylase and glucosyltransferase.