Unveiling the psychrozyme potential of micro-fungi inhabiting the high altitude passes of the trans-Himalayas.

Microfungi are known as potent producers of extracellular enzymes, making them crucial in various industrial processes, especially those involving the degradation of organic matter. This study aimed to screen the cold-tolerant microfungi inhabiting the trans-Himalayan region for their potential to produce α-amylase and protease enzymes. Soil samples were collected from two high altitude passes in Ladakh region, India and a total of 68 fungal strains were isolated using serial dilution pour plate method. These isolates were screened qualitatively for enzymatic production using specific agar media, including glucose yeast extract peptone agar (GYPA) for α-amylase and skimmed milk agar (SM agar) for protease activity. Among the screened isolates, 18 fungal species exhibited α-amylase activity, with Aspergillus uvarum, A. sydowii, and Nodulisporium verrucosum showing the largest zones of clearance, 13 fungal species exhibited protease activities, with Penicillium griseofulvum and P. fellutanum showing the largest clear zones. This study highlights the diversity of cold-adapted fungi in this region with significant enzyme producing potential, suggesting their applicability in industrial processes such as bioconversion of starch and protein-rich materials, particularly in cold environments.