Isolation and Characterization of potential Tannase producing fungi from Mangroves and Tanneries

Tannase or tannin acyl hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.20) is one of the most versatile biocatalysts which plays significant role in different bioconversion reactions under protein-precipitating conditions. Considering the immense applications of tannase in several bio-based industries, the present study aims to isolate and characterize fungal strains which are potent tannase producers from tannin rich environments. Among the 56 fungal strains isolated, 40 isolates showed zone of hydrolysis in tannic acid agar plates. These tannase positive strains were subjected to tannic acid production under shake flask system and found that 5 strains viz, Asp TBG20(a) (5.21 U/mL), Asp TBG22(d) (7.11 U/mL), Asp TBG24(b) (6.14 U/mL), Asp TBG28(a) (6.32 U/mL) and Asp (8.20 U/mL) produced significant amount of tannase. Based on morphological and molecular characterization, the strains were identified as Aspergillus niger sp., A. japonicus sp. and A. aculeatus sp.