Mature healthy rhizomes of Curcuma longa were collected from garden (Jalgaon, India) and immediately brought to
laboratory for use within 24 h. Rhizomes were washed in running tap water for 10 min to remove, soil particles and
adhered debris, and finally washed with distilled water. Surface sterilization was done using method described by
Petrini [8], with some alteration. Samples were immersed in 70% ethanol for 1-3 min and 4% aqueous solution of
sodium hypochlorite 1.5 min, again 1min with 70% ethanol and finally rinsed with sterile distilled water.
Disinfected samples were used for aseptic cutting using sterile knife and inner tissues were excised such tissues were
inoculated on to potato dextrose agar media, for 4 - 25 days at 27oC with aim to isolate endophytic fungi.
Endophytic fungi were isolated and stock cultures were maintained on potato dextrose agar slant. An isolated fungus
with potential asparaginase activity was identified from Department of Advance study in Botany, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi (India).