Effect of detergents on alkaline invertase and alkaline phosphatase activity of fungi Mucor plumbeus Bonord, 1864, Aspergillus Niger Tiegh, 1867 and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, 1969

Abstract

Due to their diverse metabolic potential, many filamentous fungi have a great ability for degradation of different waste substances. The present research was aimed to investigate ability of fungi Mucor plumbeus, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma harzianum, isolated from sewer and industrial waste water, to conduct degradation of high concentrations of commercial detergent (0.3%). Within enzyme extracts of samples taken during period of 3–16 days, activity of alkaline invertase and alkaline phosphatase was followed spectrophotometrically at room temperature. Obtained results proved that all examined fungi affected degradation of detergent. Quality (inhibition/stimulation) and quantity of action of detergent on activity of investigated enzymes depended on fungal species and incubation period. The highest inhibiting effect of detergent was recorded on 9 day of incubation in samples of T. harzianum and A. niger, while its most obvious stimulating effect was noticed on 3 day of incubation in samples of T. harzianum and M. plumbeus. Investigated fungi can be used for purification of waste water containing high concentrations of detergent.