Production of amylase by Aspergillus fumigatus utilizing alpha-methyl-D-glycoside, a synthetic analogue of maltose, as substrate.

A strain of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from soil was able to produce biomass and high amylase activities in media containing alpha-methyl-D-glucoside (alphaMG), a synthetic analogue of maltose, as the only carbon source. alphaMG was a more effective inducer than starch and maltose at the same concentration: alphaMG cultures produced about 3 times more alpha-amylase and glucoamylase activity than starch cultures. Maximum production of alpha-amylase (60 U/mg) and glucoamylase (130 U/mg) was obtained in 8-10 days alphaMG cultures.