The growth conditions for chitinase production by Trichoderma asperellum UTP-16 in solid state fermentation was optimized using response surface methodology based on central composite design. The chitinase production was optimized, using one-factor at a time approach, with six independent variables (temperature, pH, NaCl, incubation period, nitrogen and carbon sources) and 3.31 Units per gram dry substrate (U gds -1 ) exo-chitinase yield was obtained. A 21.15% increase was recorded in chitinase activity (4.01 U gds -1 ) through surface response methodology, indicates that it is a powerful and rapid tool for optimization of physical and nutritional variables. Further, efficiency of crude enzyme was evaluated against phytopathogenic Fusarium spp. and a mycelial growth inhibition up to 3.5-6.5 mm was achieved in well diffusion assay. These results could be supplemented as basic information for the development of enzyme based formulation of T. asperellum UTP-16 and its use as a biocontrol agent.

Over recent decades, the Ladhak regions of the Himalaya have been investigated mainly for the presence and exploitation of psychrophilic bacteria and Archaea, but mycological studies in the region have been infrequent. Here we report the occurrence of Thelebolus microsporus for the first time from the Himalayan region. The strain, which was isolated from Pangong Lake, is a psychrophile, with an optimum growth temperature of 4°C and halotolerance of up to 6% NaCl. Microscopic studies found that the strain does not produce conidia, and that asci are produced in cleistohymenial ascomata, with each ascus containing eight ascospores. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA gene of the strain showed 97-98% similarity with strains of Thelebolus microsporus from Antarctica.