Effect of cultivation conditions on growth and antifungal activity of Mycena leptocephala

Growth and production of antifungal agent by Mycena leptocephala was investigated in different culture media composition at various initial pH and temperatures. Maximum growth and activity was observed at the initial pH of 5.5 and 25 degree C. No detectable growth and activity was observed at pH of 3.5 and 7.5. Growth of the fungus and antifungal activity were also very low at 37 degree C and 20 degree C. The organism grew better and culture extract showed higher level of antifungal activity when malt extract plus glucose were used as carbon source and yeast extract was used as nitrogen source. Meanwhile the lowest level of growth and antifungal activity were observed when starch was used as carbon source for growth of the fungus.