Isolation of Keratinophilic Fungi from Soil in Khairpur City, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

One hundred and twenty five soil samples were collected from five areas in the vicinity of Khairpur city, Sindh, Pakistan and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi by using hair bait technique. A total 253 isolates belonged to eight genera and eleven species of keratinophilic fungi were recovered. Maximum number (153/253, 60.5%) of keratinophilic fungi was recovered from farm land and poultry soils. Aspergillus niger was most prevalent species and represented 20.2% of the total number isolated. A. flavus and A. fumigatus were almost equal in their prevalence and represented 11.9 and 11.1%, respectively. Botrytis cinaria comes next constituting 9.9%; followed by Mucor spp. (9.1%) and Chochliobolus lunatus (8.3%). Other species isolated less frequently included Chrysosporum asperatum (5.9%), Fusarium spp. (5.1%), Penicillium spp. (3.1%) and A. wentii (2.4%). The distribution pattern of the different keratinophilic fungi and their significance are discussed.