PROTEASES.

Two Aspergillus spp. namely A. funiculosus (Za) and A tamarii (Zc) were isolated, purified, identified and studied for their protease activity under some selected environmental condition and nutritional factors. The strains showed the maximal activity of protease after 5 days (Za) and 6 days (Zc) of incubation at 27ºC in a medium containing peptone as nitrogen source with pH 5.0. Isolate Za showed highest protease activity in the presence of fructose as carbon source, at 35 0 C, with pH 6.0 and 2.5 % casien as substrate concentration.Where as for Zc it was starch as carbon source, temperature 40 0 C,with pH 7.0 and 2 % casien,the isolate showed highest enzyme activity. Key words: Aspergillus funiculosus, Aspergillus tamarii, Protease