CELLULASE ACTIVITY, DEGRADATION OF CELLULOSE AND LIGNIN AND HUMUS FORMATION BY CELLULOLYTIC FUNGI

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. B129  (4) , 613-620
Abstract
Cellulase activity and degradation of cellulose and lignin in wheat straw and formation of humus during degradation by Botryotrichum sp., Masoniella sp., Paecilomyces fusisporus, Sclerotium sp. and Trichurus spiralis was studied. All the cultures exhibited carboxymethyl cellulase activity, but cellulase activity on cellulase powder, filter paper and cotton was only exhibited by Masoniella sp., P. fusisporus and Sclerotium sp. when grown on cellulose powder in submerged culture conditions. When grown on wheat straw in solid culture, all fungi exhibited filter paper degrading activity. All except Masoniella sp. degraded both cellulose and lignin efficiently compared to cellulose. There was formation of humus-like substances during growth of fungi on wheat straw.

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