Penicillium notatum 1 a new source of dextranase

Summary Two hundred and fifteen fungal strains were screened for extracellular dextranase production with a diffusion plate method. The best enzymatic activity (12–19 DU ml^–1) was achieved byPenicillium notatum 1, a species for which the dextranase productivity has not yet been published. Some of the parameters affecting enzyme production have been standardized. The enzyme in crude state was relatively stable, its maximal activity was at 50°C and at pH 5.0. Conidia of the selected strain were mutagenized, and isolated mutants were tested for production of dextranase in submerged culture. The most active mutant,P. notatum 1-I-77, showed over two-times higher dextranase activity than the parentP. notatum 1