Evaluation of Enzyme Cellulase Production and its Activity, Isolated from Local Fungi

Mohammed H. Mushrif, Luai F. Zghair, Muzahim Alkabban

Abstract: Eight Fungal species were isolated from the rhizosphere of wheat Triticum aestivum ( Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, T. longibrachiatum, Alternaria alternate, Fusarium solan, Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum). All the isolated fungi had the capacity to cellulase enzyme production in solid media (CMC- Agar), moreover, T. viride gave the highest capability for the production of the enzyme (6.14). Rhizoctonia solani gave less productive ratio (3.0). Quantitative test using Mandel liquid media showed that the fungus T. viride had the highest activity of cellulase enzyme (4.39 U/ml), however this fungus had the greatest biomass (8.96 g/L). The fungus Rhizoctonia solani gave lower enzyme activity (2.04 U/ml) and its biomass reached to (4.65 g/L). Studying of different carbon sources for the fungus T. viride showed that sucrose was the best carbon source used with the liquid media for cellulase activity (3.87 U/ml), and the biomass (2.83 g/L). From these findings, such fungi able to produce enzymes when activated depending on the substrate and cultured media.

Keywords: Fungi, cellulace enzyme activity