Zinc Tolerance and Accumulation in Aspergillus oryzae Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer isolated from Saudi Arabian Soil

Abstract

Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer isolated from Taif soil, Saudi Arabia could survive in a liquid medium containing up to 500 ug/ml Zn. Aspergillus oryzae and Penicillium citrinum were more tolerant to zinc toxicity than Rhizopus stolonifer. The resistance and accumulation of zinc in the tested fungi were discussed according to tolerance index and zinc uptake in the mycellium.