Production of cellulases by fungal cultures isolated from forest litter soil

Authors

  • A. Sri Lakshmi Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Golla Narasimha Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2012.80

Keywords:

forest litter soil, fungal cultures, screening of cellulases, protein content

Abstract

The aims of this study were the isolation and screening of fungal cultures from forest litter soil for cellulases production. In the present study, four fungal cultures were isolated and identified. Among these fungal cultures, three belonged to the genus Aspergillus and one belonged to the genus Pencillium. These fungal cultures were tested to find their ability to produce cellulases, that catalyze the degradation of cellulose, which is a linear polymer made of glucose subunits linked by beta-1, 4 glycosidic bonds. The fungal isolate 3 (Aspergillus sp.) was noticed to show maximum zone of hydrolysis of carboxy-methyl cellulose and produce higher titers of cellulases including exoglucanase, endoglucanase and beta -D-glucosidase. The activities of the cellulases were determined by Filter paper assay (FPA), Carboxy-methly cellulase assay (CMCase) and beta -D-glucosidase assay respectively. The total soluble sugar and extracellular protein contents of the fungal filtrates were also determined.

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Published

2012-01-11

Issue

Section

Research article