Abstract: | Twenty-eight Penicillium cultures were screened for dextranase activity. Dextranase yield of about 2000 DU/ml was obtained with Penicillium funiculosum SH-5. Maximum dextranase concentration was attained only when cell mass decreased. The kinetics of the dextranase production was correlated with the cell mass by a two-parameter model. The optimum pH and temperature for dextranase were 5.0-5.5 and 55°C, respectively. Crude dextranase preparation was inhibitory to insoluble glucan formation by streptococcus mutans 6715 in vitro. |