Production of β-glycosidases (linamarase and amygdalase) and pectolytic enzymes by Penicillium spp.

Fifty-eight strains, representing 31 species of Penicillium, were screened for extracellular β-glycosidase (amygdalase/linamarase) and pectolytic (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase) enzymes. One strain each of P. turbatum, P. piceum and P. paxilli showed very high β-glycosidase activity and slightly lower activities were found in P. crustosum, P. expansum, P. oxalicum and P. aurantiogriseum. Generally, maximum β-glycosidase activity showed reached during the stationary phase of growth. The seven species with highest β-glycosidase activity showed different patterns of pectolytic activities, indicating that different species or combinations of species could be selected for different potential applications.