Explorations on Marine-derived Fungi for L-Asparaginase – Enzyme with Anticancer Potentials

Title:Explorations on Marine-derived Fungi for L-Asparaginase – Enzyme with Anticancer Potentials

Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Author(s): Anjana K. Vala and Bharti P. Dave

Affiliation:

Keywords: Anticancer potential, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, gulf of khambhat, L-asparaginase, marinederived fungi, west coast of India.

Abstract: Background: L-Asparaginase (LA) has wide applications due to anticancer activity. However, limitations involved with commercially available LA (e.g. causing hypersensitivity) call for searching new sources of LA with less adverse effects. Marine-derived fungi represent a potential source for LA that has not been fully explored. Objective: To screen marine-derived fungi –untapped source for L-Asparaginase production. Methods: Marinederived fungi isolated from Bhavnagar coast, Gulf of Khambhat, West coast of India, were screened for L-Asparaginase production by agar plate assay and broth assay. Quantification of L-asparaginase activity was carried out by estimating liberation of ammonia. Results: Fourteen marine-derived fungi out of twenty isolates tested showed L-Asparaginase production as revealed by development of pink zone around colony on agar plates and development of pink color in flask with increase in pH at different time intervals. Quantification of L-Asparaginase activity from 9 test isolates at different time intervals showed the activity to be in the range of 0.2173-7.5642 u/ml. Strains of A. niger were found to be the strongest producers, followed by A. terreus. Conclusions: The present study reveals 70% of the marine-derived fungal isolates tested produced L-Asparaginase. While there is a need to search for better sources of L-Asparaginase, marine-derived fungi could be promising candidates.

Cite this article as:

Vala K. Anjana and Dave P. Bharti, Explorations on Marine-derived Fungi for L-Asparaginase – Enzyme with Anticancer Potentials, Current Chemical Biology 2015; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2212796809666150817195019