Production of xylanase from a newly isolated Penicillium sp ZH-30

A new strain of Penicillium sp. ZH-30 that produces xylanase was isolated from soil. According to the morphology and comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA gene sequence, the strain Penicillium sp. ZH-30 was identified as a strain of Penicillium oxalicum. When xylan or wheat bran was used as substrate at 30 degrees C for 3 days under submerged cultivation, xylanase production was 5.3 and 13.3 U ml(-1), respectively. The temperature and pH for optimum activity were 50 degrees C and 5.0-6.0, respectively.