Screening of Filamentous Fungi Having the Ability to Decolorize Molasses Pigments

Abstract

The screening of filamentous fungi having the ability to decolorize molasses pigments was performed in Thailand, and some strains, belonging mainly to the class Deuteromycetes, were selected from among a total of 228 strains. Of these, nine showed decolorization yields of more than 50%, and they required different culture conditions, such as the glucose concentration, medium pH and nitrogen sources, for a high decolorization yield, respectively.

The isolated strain, D90, showed the highest decolorization yield (about 93%) wfhen it was cultivated at 30°C for 8 days in a molasses pigment solution containing glucose 2.5%, yeast extract 0.2%, KH₂PO₄ 0.1% and MgSO₄-7H₂O 0.05%, the pH being adjusted to 6.0. This potent strain was identical with the order Mycelia Sterilia due to the following characteristics, septate hyphae formation and no clamp connections or spores.