Hair Baiting

Fungi is one among the widely distributed kingdom on earth, most of the fungi survive as saprophyte. During the course of evolution one of a very special group of fungi has developed which was able to utilize keratin as a sole source of nutrition. Such group of organisms developed the skills to survive as the keratinolytic agent. The best keratinophilic molds belong to Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton genera. In the present study, geographical distribution of keratinophilic flora was evaluated in soil of Jaipur, India. Total 50 soil samples from poultry farms, animal farms, barber’s dump, public parks and Sambhar lake were collected and screened by using hair baiting techniques on different keratinsbaits. Human hair was found to be most potent bait for growth of keratinophilic fungi than others. In the present study, 79% soil samples were recorded to be positive for keratinophilic flora. Trichophyton was most predominant genera.Our results indicated that soils of Jaipur are most suitable reservoirs for keratinophilic and related fungi