Exploring cellulolytic enzyme activity of organic matter decomposing fungi in vitro

Abstract

In Konkan region of Maharashtra, traditional methods are used for managing rice residue, finding of an efficient fungal strain to speed up decomposition is essential. In this study, nine fungal species were isolated from compost and mango and cashew leaf litter. Trichoderma sp. aff. T. pseudokoningii and Trichoderma sp. 1 were isolated from mango and cashew leaf litter, while Aspergillus tubingensis, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus sp. 1, Aspergillus sp. 2, Aspergillus sp. 3, and Penicillium sp. 1 were isolated from compost samples collected from Agronomy and Dairy farms.Among the nine fungal isolates, only four exhibited cellulolytic enzyme activity on Czapek’s Dox agar amended with carboxymethyl cellulose. Aspergillus tubingensis had the highest cellulolytic index of 0.59, with a clear zone of 50.0 mm. Trichoderma sp. aff. T. pseudokoningii and Aspergillus fumigatus had indices of 0.16 and 0.145, respectively, while Aspergillus terreus had the lowest index of 0.125.