Isolation and Identification of Cellulose Degrading Microbes

Abstract

Cellulose degrading bacteria was isolated from soil where as cellulose degrading fungi was isolated from soil and decaying wood. The bacteria were identified as Bacillus subtilis and the fungi were identified as Aspergillusniger and Trichodermaviride. Their cellulase degrading ability was screened by Congo red plate assay. Their enzyme activity was tested with CMC assay, and the protein estimation was done by Lowry’s method. Aspergillusniger showed the highest cellulase activity of 1861.611IU/ml, followed by Trichodermaviride 780.676IU/ml and Bacillus subtilis showing the least cellulase activity of 450.389IU/ml. Protein estimation was also carried out, in which Aspergillusniger showed 0.18 mg/ml, Trichodermaviride showed 0.15mg/ml and Bacillus subtilis showed 0.31mg/ml.