Isolation, identification and screening of cellulolytic activity of some fungi from different sources and localities in Egypt

Document Type : Research and Reference

Authors

1 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, P.O. 31527

2 Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, National Research Center, 33-El Bohouth st., Dokki, Giza, Egypt, P.O.12622

Abstract

Cellulases are a series of hydrolytic enzymes that can hydrolyze
cellulosic biomass into a simpler sugar. In the present study, thirty-one
fungal species were isolated from different places in Al-Gharbia and
Aswan governorates. These fungal species were identified and found to
belong to twelve genera "Trichoderma, Cladosporium, Aspergillus,
Botritrichom, Rhizopus, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium,
Mucor, Circinella, Alternaria and Rhodotorula". All identified fungal
species were screened for cellulolytic activity based on clear zone
diameter using 0.1% congo red. Out of thirty-one fungal species, 27
species showed cellulolytic activity and the highest activity was
recorded by Trichoderma viride and isolate No. 1 of Aspergillus niger.
All 27 fungal species were tested for three cellulolytic enzymes as
"carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), β- glucosidase (βGase), and filterpaper
cellulase (FPase)". The highest total cellulolytic activity for three
cellulolytic enzymes was recorded by isolate No. 1 of Aspergillus niger
(79.3 U/ml). Among all tested isolates of Aspergillus niger isolate No. 1

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