Biodegradation of wool by Trichophyton simii and Aspergillus niger

The amount of protein released into liquid culture medium and weight loss were taken as measures of wool degradation by Trichophyton simii and Aspergillus niger. Protein released into the culture medium was observed to be greater after T. simii treatment than after A. niger treatment. Sulphitolysis was shown by T. simii, whereas it was absent in the case of A. niger, pH was found to be alkaline with an increase in soluble protein in the culture medium in the case of both uniculture and dual culture. However, both the weight loss of wool and the amount of protein released were significantly reduced when both fungi were allowed to attack the substrate. The behaviour of these fungi in dual culture reflects their antagonistic activities.