[Flocculating activity of Penicillium purpurogenum EL-02 and its flocculating activity].
OBJECTIVE
To isolate, identify and characterize a fungus with flocculating activity.


METHODS
We used gradient dilution, plaque distribution and 18S rDNA analysis to isolate and identify a fungus with flocculating activity. We used high-speed centrifugation, ultrasonication and qualitative test to determine the nature of flocculating active substances.


RESULTS
We isolated a flocculating active fungi and identified it as Penicillium purpurogenum. Ultrasonication test confirmed that the flocculating activity was primarily in the fermentation supernatant. We explored the flocculating activity curve and found that 4 days was the optimum fermentation time for accumulating flocculating active substances. The strain flocculating activity remains unchanged when pH varied from 2 to 11 and temperature varied from -70 degrees C to 100 degrees C. We finally identified the flocculating active substances as saccharides.


CONCLUSIONS
We isolated a flocculating active strain P. purpurogenum EL-02, and identified its flocculating active products as saccharides.
Zhang
Yushan
Y
Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization, SOA, Tianjin 300192, China. yushanzhang@hotmail.com
Wang
Jing
J
Hao
Jianan
J
Zhang
Xiuzhi
X
Cheng
Yu
Y
D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005427:Flocculation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010407:Penicillium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature