P89: Cellulolytic and Xylanolytic Enzymes Potential of Fungi from Soil Beneath Decaying Biomass

Availability and cost of enzymes for the hydrolysis of lignocelluloses to fermentable sugars is vital to sustainable plant biomass ethanol technology.  In this study cellulolytic and xylanolytic fungi were enriched from soil collected beneath decaying plant biomass. Six fungi (SG4, SG2, SG7, F8, F9 and F10) selected from monocultures purified from the enrichment cultures were examined for production of cellulases and xylanases in liquid submerged culture incubated with orbital shaking at 30 ^oC for 60 h. Cell-free culture supernatant of isolates were analyzed for filter paper activity, β-glucosidase, xylanase and β-xylosidase in a 30 min assay. Filter paper activity was substantial in cultures of SG2 and SG4. Isolate SG2 produced the highest filter paper activity in switch grass culture. The highest xylanase activity was recorded in switch grass culture of SG4. Substantial β-glucosidase activity was detected in switch grass cultures of isolates of SG4, SG2, F8, F9 and F10 with the highest activity recorded with F10 culture supernatant. Isolates SG2, SG4 and F10 produced substantial β-xylosidase activity and the highest activity was observed in switch grass culture of SG4. Three selected isolates (SG4, SG2 and F10) are under characterization to maximize production of the enzymes. Results indicate that the isolates produced a promising array of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes.