Production of amylases and proteases by wild-type and mutant strains of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae

Wild-type, auxotrophic and colour mutant strains of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae were assayed for the secretion of amylases and proteases on solid media. No differences in protease and amylase secretion were observed between monosporic colonies originating from the same strain. Some mutant strains with auxotrophic and colour markers secreted more protease and amylase than their respective parentals, demonstrating a pleiotrophic effect of one or more mutations in these strains. On the two amylase activity media used, one containing only starch and the other with starch and glucose as carbon source, it was shown that wild type strains had a reduced amylase secretion in the presence of glucose as compared to the mutant strains used.