Screening and identification of tannase-producing fungi isolated from Brazilian caves

Tannase is an extracellular inducible enzyme of great biotechnological interest. The microorganisms such as species from the Aspergillus and Penicillium genus are the most important source of tannase. The objective of this study was to isolate, identify and select strains of filamentous fungi present in caves located in the Brazilian biome for tannase production. Five hundred and forty-four fungal strains were isolated and three hundred and eighty-six had the ability to grow in plates containing tannic acid medium as the sole carbon source. A total of 32 strains were considered to be good tannase producers. Morphological characterization indicated 20 Aspergillus and 12 Penicillium species. The highest tannase activity in submerged fermentation was obtained by Aspergillus japonicus 246A (16.45 U/mg) and Aspergillus tamarii 3 (12.95 U/mg).