Production of Saccharogenic and Dextrinogenic Amylases by Rhizomucor pusillus A 13.36

A newly-isolated thermophilic strain of the zygomycete fungus Rhizomucor pusillus 13.36 produced highly active dextrinogenic and saccharogenic enzymes. Cassava pulp was a good alternative substrate for amylase production. Dextrinogenic and saccharogenic amylases exhibited optimum activities at a pH of 4.0-4.5 and 5.0 respectively and at a temperature of 75℃. The enzymes were highly thermostable, with no detectable loss of saccharogenic or dextrinogenic activity after 1 h and 6 h at 60℃, respectively. The saccharogenic activity was inhibited by Ca²+ while the dextrinogenic was indifferent to this ion.