Barotolerance of fungi isolated from deep-sea sediments of the Indian Ocean
Two species of filamentous fungi, AspergiUus ustus (Bain.) Thom & Church and Graphium sp., were isolated from calcareous animal shells at depths of 860 m in the Arabian Sea and 965 m in the Bay of Bengal. Laboratory experiments showed germination of conidia, growth of hyphae and microconidiation in both the fungi at 100 bar pressure at 10 and 30°C suggesting barotolerance The fungi also secreted barotolerant protease under these conditions. Protease synthesised and secreted in cultures grown at 1 bar was also active under 100 bar pressure at 10 and 30°C. At 1O0C, the fungi showed better conidial germination, growth and protease secretion when subjected to 100 bar than when grown at 1 atmosphere. The results indicate barotolerance of terrestrial species of fungl and suggest that they might be active under deep-sea conditions.