Isolation and Screening of Cellulase Producing Fungi from Forest Waste

The goal of this study was to isolate and screen the fungal species associated with plant material laying on Forest floor for cellulase activity. Eleven fungal species were isolated and screened for their ability to produce cellulases. Among them, Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger were recorded as cellulase producing species. T. viride has exhibited maximum zone of hydrolysis for carboxymethylcellulose and produce higher titers of cellulases. Production of cellulase was analyzed by Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) and Carboxymethyl cellulase assay methods. Maximum enzyme production (1.76 U/ml) was achieved at 30°C, pH of 5.0 by T. viride and on 5th day of incubation.