Fungal Flora of Hot Springs of Taiwan (1): Wu-Rai

• Main Authors: Mao-Yen Chen, Zuei-Ching Chen, Kuei-Yu Chen, San-San Tsay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Taiwan University 2000-06-01
• Series: Taiwania
• Subjects: Taiwan; Hot springs; Fungi; Microbes potential
• Online Access: http://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=262

Five species of 25 isolates of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi were isolated from hot springs of Wu-Rai of Northern Taiwan and they are identified as following five species: i.e., Aspergillus fumigatus, Thermomyces lanuginosus (Humicola lanuginosa), Humicola insolens, Penicillium dupontii and Rhizoctonia sp. Each species shows special characteristics in physiology and enzymatic activity. In physiological characteristics, all isolates can grow at 55ºC and 4 strains of T. lanuginosus can grow over 60ºC even reach to 64ºC. It may be the maximium growth temperature for fungi so far recorded. In primary screening test, 80 % of isolates have amylase and 60% have proteinase activities and 20% have lipase activities. This is the first report to show fungal flora and the rich microbes potential in hot springs of Taiwan.