Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XX
Written by Mariana CĂLIN, Olguţa DRĂCEA, Iuliana RĂUT, Gelu VASILESCU, Mihaela BADEA DONI, Melania Liliana ARSENE, Elvira ALEXANDRESCU, Diana CONSTANTINESCU-ARUXANDEI, Luiza JECU, Veronica LAZĂR
Keratinophylic fungi are present in the environment with a variable distribution, being influenced by human and animal presence and playing an important role in the biodegradation of keratinized substrates (skin, hair shaft, nails, claws, horns, wool and feathers). These fungi are geophilic, zoophilic and anthropofilic. Keratinophylic fungi have the ability to degrade keratinized materials, using the keratin as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. This behaviour is based on the activity of keratinases, enzymes belonging to the group of proteases that can specifically degrade keratin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biodegradative ability of some keratinophylic fungal strains, clinical and geophilic isolates. The tested keratinized substrates were represented by animal hair strands. The rate of keratinized substrates biodegradation was expressed as weight loss over three weeks of incubation in minimal liquid medium in an orbital incubator. The morphological changes of hair samples were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
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