Abstrato

Determination of feather degradation in soil by non dermatophytic fungi using singly and in combination

Itisha Singh, R.K.S.Kushwaha

Keratin azure and feather degradation in soil determines the amount of keratin degradation during the activity of different fungi in different combinations in soil. The aim of this study is to evaluate degree of feather degradation in soil by non dermatophytic fungi acting singly and in combination. Fungi frequently occurring in soil were selected for hen feather and keratin azure degradation in vitro individually and in combination in different sets in soil. It is concluded that 20 fungi tested showed feather and keratin azure degradation in culture. Five selected fungi Acremonium implicatum, Chrysosporium queenslandicum, Chrysosporium pannicola, Malbranchea pulchella and Verticillium lecanii, when used in combination with Chrysosporium keratinophilum showed feather and keratin azure degradation. Further feather and keratin azure degradation wasmonitored in soilwhen these were used individually and in combinationwith C. keratinophilum and almost above 90% degradation was recorded. The determination of amount of keratin degradation in soil by using individual fungus and fungi in combination is of immense importance in order to find out how much keratin is degraded in soil. Themeasurement of feather and keratin azure degradation in soil by using five fungi singly and in combination with C. keratinophilum presented here for the first time.