Qualitative assessment of hydrolytic activities in antarctic microfungi grown at different temperatures on solid media

Microfungi from Antarctica were grown at 10 °C, 21 °C, 28 °C and 37 °C on a series of plates each containing a single carbon source and designed to indicate the secretion of particular hydrolytic enzymes. Colony radius and hydrolytic activity were measured and a relative activity index (RA) established. In general, effective hydrolysis occurred at mesophilic temperatures. Some enzymes, especially of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. showed maximum activity at 10 °C, indicating adaptation to the colder temperatures of the antarctic environment.