SHILPA GAUTAM, NEERAJ VERMA AND DEEPAK MISHRA
Abstract
The current study explores the isolation, morphological characterization, and proteolytic potential of fungal strains derived from fruit waste samples collected in Satna, India. Eight distinct fungal isolates were obtained using the serial dilution technique on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) supplemented with streptomycin to inhibit bacterial growth. The isolates displayed diverse morphological characteristics, indicating rich fungal biodiversity in fruit waste ecosystems. Primary screening for protease activity using skim milk agar revealed significant variation in proteolytic capabilities, with proteolytic index (PI) values ranging from 2.09 to 2.75. Secondary validation using gelatin hydrolysis further confirmed stable proteolytic activity, with PI values ranging from 2.025 to 2.34. Among the isolates, PCS3 and PCS5 demonstrated superior protease production and were subjected to molecular characterization. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the taxonomic placement of these strains within the Aspergillus genus, showcasing genetic similarities with industrially relevant strains. The study highlights the potential industrial applicability of these isolates, particularly in enzyme production. Future research will focus on optimizing protease yield, characterizing enzyme properties, and evaluating their scalability for industrial applications.