Production of amylase and chlamydospores by Piriformospora indica, a root endophytic fungus

Batch cultivation of the fungus Piriformospora indica on Kaefer medium containing soluble starch resulted in a 1.5-fold improvement in amylase activity and a reduction in the time required for achieving maximum growth, amylase activity and spore yield by more than 50%. Peak growth (7.64 g/L) and amylase activity (39.84 U/mL) were recorded after 42 h while maximum spore yield (8.78×107 spores/mL) was achieved after 60 h of cultivation. The optimum temperature and pH for amylase activity was 80 °C and 7.0, respectively, with about, 80% of activity retained at 90 °C and 70% of activity retained at pH 9.0.