Isolation and screening of filamentous fungi having ability to produce L-asparaginase, an anti leukemic agent.

The present paper deals with the isolation and screening of filamentous fungi for their potency to synthesize L-asparaginase. The fungi were cultured using submerged fermentation method to promote maximum enzyme production. Out of 16 fungi screened, three species of Fusarium and Penicillium viridictum demonstrated the ability to produce maximum amount of L-asparaginase. Fusarium was the most efficient fungus, showing highest yield of enzyme, when it was cultivated at 28°C for 16 days in an Asthana Hawker's medium.