Catalase activity in arctic microfungi grown at different temperatures

• Published in: Acta Biologica Hungarica
• Main Authors: Fiedurek, J., Gromada, Anna, Słomka, Anna, Korniłowicz-Kowalska, Teresa, Kurek, Ewa, Melke, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Akadémiai Kiadó 2003
• Subjects: QH Natural history / természetrajz; Arctic; Spitzbergen; Tundra
• Online Access: http://real.mtak.hu/69800/; http://real.mtak.hu/69800/1/abiol.54.2003.1.11.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1556/ABiol.54.2003.1.11

The total of 98 strains of moulds were isolated from soils collected in arctic tundra (Spitzbergen). Among these strains Penicillium cyclopium 1, the most effective for production of catalase, was selected by the method of test-tube microculture. The time course of growth and catalase production by this strain showed the intracellular activity of this enzyme to be about 3-fold higher than its extracellular level. Some properties of crude catalase preparation, isolated from postculture liquids by lyophilization, were also examined. Catalase activity showed its maximum at 15 °C, indicating adaptation of the enzyme to lower temperatures of the arctic environment.