Aspergillus awamori
Aspergillus awamori is a filamentous fungus from the Aspergillus niger group, commonly used in food fermentation, animal feed, and environmental biotechnology. Its wide-ranging benefits stem from its…
Strength
1 x 10⁸ CFU per gram / 1 x 10⁹ CFU per gram
Benefits
Stimulate Plant Growth
Promotes vigorous plant growth through better nutrient uptake.
Restore Soil Fertility
Improves soil health by solubilizing insoluble phosphorus, making it accessible to plants and enhancing nutrient cycling.
Protection Against Drought and Diseases
Provides resilience against drought conditions and some soil-borne diseases, ensuring healthier plant development.
Increase Crop Yield
Enhances overall crop productivity by making phosphorus available to plants.
Scientific References
1. Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Effects
Aspergillus awamori activates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in rabbits exposed to ochratoxin A.👉 (Assar et al., 2022) – Environmental Science and Pollution Research
It also alleviates ulcerative colitis in rats through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.👉 (Abd-Ellatieff et al., 2024) – Inflammopharmacology
2. Growth Promotion and Digestive Enhancement
Feeding A. awamori improves muscle development by reducing protein degradation in broilers.👉 (Saleh et al., 2012) – Animal Science Journal
Improves digestibility, immune response, and intestinal morphology in rabbits.👉 (El-Deep et al., 2020) – Veterinary Medicine and Science
3. Industrial Enzyme Production
Aspergillus awamori cellulase: production, statistical optimization, pea peels saccharification and textile applications.
4. Biocontrol and Pest Management
A. awamori acts as a nematode-trapping fungus, controlling Meloidogyne incognita. (Cui et al., 2015) – Biocontrol Science and Technology
5. Taxonomy and Differentiation from Aspergillus niger
Genomic analysis confirms A. awamori as a cryptic species distinct from A. niger, with shared and unique metabolic traits.👉 (Perrone et al., 2011) – Fungal Biology
Mode of Action
1. Enhances Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Defense
A. awamori significantly reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in animals. It activates the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, which boosts cellular antioxidant defenses, and suppresses inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β and TNF-α. This helps protect vital organs from damage due to toxins like ochratoxin A (Assar et al., 2022), (Abd-Ellatieff et al., 2024).
2. Promotes Growth and Muscle Protein Metabolism
In poultry and rabbits, A. awamori improves growth performance by increasing nutrient digestibility and reducing muscle protein breakdown. It downregulates muscle proteolysis genes (atrogin-1, calpain) and upregulates muscle-building markers like β-actin and myosin. This results in increased body and muscle mass, even with reduced feed intake (Saleh et al., 2012), (El-Deep et al., 2020).
3. Improves Nutrient Digestibility and Gut Health
A. awamori enhances the breakdown and absorption of proteins, lipids, and fiber. It increases intestinal villi height and thickness, which boosts surface area for nutrient uptake. These effects contribute to better feed conversion and higher efficiency in livestock and poultry systems (El-Deep et al., 2020), (Saleh et al., 2014).
4. Produces Powerful Industrial Enzymes
A. awamori is a prolific producer of enzymes such as:
Cellulases – for breaking down plant biomass for biofuel production (Pachauri et al., 2018)
Xylanases – for degrading hemicellulose in agricultural waste (Adolph et al., 1996)
Tannases – for use in food and beverage industries (Beena et al., 2010)
Aspartic proteases – for protein hydrolysis in food and pharmaceutical applications (da Silva-López et al., 2022)
5. Supports Biocontrol and Pest Management
A. awamori can trap and inhibit root-knot nematodes like Meloidogyne incognita, acting as a natural biocontrol agent. This reduces reliance on chemical pesticides and supports sustainable crop protection (Cui et al., 2015).
6. Applications in Sustainable Agriculture and Industry
Due to its diverse enzyme profile, probiotic effects, and pathogen control potential, A. awamori is used in:
Animal nutrition – for growth promotion and gut health
Biofuel production – through degradation of lignocellulosic waste
Food processing – as a source of enzymes for fermentation and flavor
Soil remediation – aiding organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling
Additional Info
Recommended Crops: Cereals, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibre Crops, Sugar Crops, Forage Crops, Plantation crops, Vegetables, Fruits, Spices, Flowers, Medicinal crops, Aromatic Crops, Orchards, and Ornamentals.
Compatibility: Compatible with Bio Pesticides, Bio Fertilizers, and Plant growth hormones but not with chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
Shelf Life: Stable within 1 year from the date of manufacturing.
Packing: We offer tailor-made packaging as per customers' requirements.
Dosage & Application
Seed Coating/Seed Treatment: 1 kg of seeds will be coated with a slurry mixture of 10 g of Aspergillus awamori and 10 g of crude sugar in sufficient water. The coated seeds will then be dried in shade and sow or broadcast in the field.
Seedling Treatment: Dip the seedlings into the mixture of 100 grams of Aspergillus awamori and sufficient amount of water.
Soil Treatment: Mix 3-5 kg per acre of Aspergillus awamori with organic manure/organic fertilizers. Incorporate the mixture and spread into the field at the time of planting/sowing.
Irrigation: Mix 3 kg per acre of Aspergillus awamori in a sufficient amount of water and run into the drip lines.
FAQ
What is Aspergillus awamori?
Aspergillus awamori is a filamentous fungus used in food fermentation, biotechnology, and animal nutrition. It produces enzymes and bioactive compounds that benefit health, digestion, and environmental sustainability.
How does A. awamori benefit animal health?
It enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces inflammation by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and downregulating inflammatory genes like IL-1β and TNF-α (Assar et al., 2022).
Can it improve growth in livestock and poultry?
Yes. It promotes muscle growth by reducing protein breakdown and improving nutrient digestibility, resulting in better weight gain and feed efficiency (Saleh et al., 2012).
What enzymes does A. awamori produce?
It secretes cellulase, xylanase, tannase, and proteases. These enzymes are important in breaking down plant materials for biofuel, improving digestion in animals, and processing food products (Pachauri et al., 2018), (da Silva-López et al., 2022).
Does it help in agriculture or pest control?
Yes. A. awamori acts as a biocontrol agent by trapping and inhibiting root-knot nematodes, reducing crop damage without chemical pesticides (Cui et al., 2015).
Is A. awamori used in biofuel production?
Yes. Its cellulase enzymes break down lignocellulosic biomass, making it useful for converting plant waste into bioethanol and other renewable fuels (Pachauri et al., 2018).
How is it different from other Aspergillus species?
Though genetically related to A. niger, A. awamori has distinct enzyme production profiles and industrial applications, particularly in food, feed, and fermentation processes (Perrone et al., 2011).
