STUDIES ON EFFECT OF COPPER (CU2+) ON PHOSPHATASE ENZYME ACTIVITY AND BIOMASS OF Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Although a large number of metals are essential for growth, some can be harmful for living cells. This is because of the fact that heavy metals can form complexes with protein molecules which render them inactive. The experiment was designed to carry out the effect of heavy metal (copper) on phosphatase enzyme activity and biomass of Aspergillus niger. We have observed that CuSO4 had negative effect on the growth of Aspergillus niger, phosphatase activity and plant biomass. The effects of CuSO4 upon the growth of fungal mycelium both in solid and liquid culture was observed after 3 days of incubation. The study revealed that control attained the highest growth rate, while application of varying concentrations of CuSO4 hampered and retarded the growth of fungal mycelium correspondingly.